Asparagus officinalis Plant Care Reminders

Garden asparagus

General Information

• Instruction By	Steve Brigham
  Notes	Asparagus are easy to grow in Southern California. Although it\'s best to wait until the plants\' third spring to start harvesting, your plants will continue to produce heavily each spring for 10-15 years after that. Good soil preparation before planting is essential, but little maintenance is necessary. If you grow an \"all male\" variety such as \'UC 157\', \'Jersey Giant\', or \'Jersey Knight\', you\'ll avoid unwanted volunteer seedlings which may differ in quality from the original plants.
  Sunset Zones	1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  21  22  23  24  25  26  27  28  29  30  31  32  33  34  35  36  37  38  39  40  41  42  43  44  45
  USDA Zones	1  2a  2b  3a  3b  4a  4b  5a  5b  6a  6b  7a  7b  8a  8b  9a  9b  10a  10b  11  12

Plant Care Instruction

• Scroll down or click on any month for plant care instructions
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December

  January 1. Buy Buy big, healthy bare-root plants as available. 2. Plant Plant fresh roots 12\" apart in rich, well-drained soil in full sun or a little shade (good drainage is a must -- in poorly-drained soils, plant in raised beds). Dig trenches 12\" wide and 8-10\" deep, and mix in a generous amount of composted manure or other soil amendment plus some 5-10-10 fertilizer in the bottom of the trench. Plant roots so that the tops are 6-8\" below the top of the trench, and cover with 2\" of soil. As new plants grow, gradually fill in trench, but do not cover the new growing tips. 3. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. 4. Propagate Propagate by division of established root clumps.

  February 1. Buy Buy big, healthy bare-root plants as available. 2. Plant Plant fresh roots 12\" apart in rich, well-drained soil in full sun or a little shade (good drainage is a must -- in poorly-drained soils, plant in raised beds). Dig trenches 12\" wide and 8-10\" deep, and mix in a generous amount of composted manure or other soil amendment plus some 5-10-10 fertilizer in the bottom of the trench. Plant roots so that the tops are 6-8\" below the top of the trench, and cover with 2\" of soil. As new plants grow, gradually fill in trench, but do not cover the new growing tips. 3. Fertilize Fertilize with a 5-10-10 plant food. 4. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. 5. Propagate Propagate by division of established root clumps.

  March 1. Sow Seeds Asparagus may be grown from seed, but it will take a year longer to harvest as compared to bare-root plants. Sow seed directly in prepared beds or sow into pots and plant the young plants in the fall. 2. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. 3. Mulch Maintain a good mulch around plants to keep roots cool and conserve water use. 4. Harvest Harvest new spears when they are 5\" tall. For \"white asparagus\", cover new shoots with soil as they grow to protect them from the sun.

  April 1. Sow Seeds Asparagus may be grown from seed, but it will take a year longer to harvest as compared to bare-root plants. Sow seed directly in prepared beds or sow into pots and plant the young plants in the fall. 2. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. 3. Mulch Maintain a good mulch around plants to keep roots cool and conserve water use. 4. Harvest Harvest new spears when they are 5\" tall. For \"white asparagus\", cover new shoots with soil as they grow to protect them from the sun.

  May 1. Sow Seeds Asparagus may be grown from seed, but it will take a year longer to harvest as compared to bare-root plants. Sow seed directly in prepared beds or sow into pots and plant the young plants in the fall. 2. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. 3. Mulch Maintain a good mulch around plants to keep roots cool and conserve water use. 4. Harvest Harvest new spears when they are 5\" tall. For \"white asparagus\", cover new shoots with soil as they grow to protect them from the sun.

  June 1. Fertilize Fertilize with a 5-10-10 plant food. 2. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. 3. Mulch Maintain a good mulch around plants to keep roots cool and conserve water use.

  July 1. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. 2. Mulch Maintain a good mulch around plants to keep roots cool and conserve water use.

  August 1. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. 2. Prune For a fall crop of asparagus, don\'t harvest in the spring, but let the foliage grow -- then cut back to 2\" from the ground in August. 3. Mulch Maintain a good mulch around plants to keep roots cool and conserve water use.

  September 1. Fertilize Fertilize with a 5-10-10 plant food. 2. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. 3. Mulch Maintain a good mulch around plants to keep roots cool and conserve water use.

  October 1. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. 2. Mulch Maintain a good mulch around plants to keep roots cool and conserve water use. 3. Harvest Harvest a fall crop from plants you didn\'t cut from in the spring and then cut back in August.

  November 1. Buy Buy big, healthy bare-root plants as available. 2. Plant Plant fresh roots 12\" apart in rich, well-drained soil in full sun or a little shade (good drainage is a must -- in poorly-drained soils, plant in raised beds). Dig trenches 12\" wide and 8-10\" deep, and mix in a generous amount of composted manure or other soil amendment plus some 5-10-10 fertilizer in the bottom of the trench. Plant roots so that the tops are 6-8\" below the top of the trench, and cover with 2\" of soil. As new plants grow, gradually fill in trench, but do not cover the new growing tips. 3. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. 4. Prune Cut back foliage to 2\" above the ground when it turns brown to prevent unwanted seed formation. 5. Propagate Propagate by division of established root clumps. 6. Harvest Harvest a fall crop from plants you didn\'t cut from in the spring and then cut back in August.

  December 1. Buy Buy big, healthy bare-root plants as available. 2. Plant Plant fresh roots 12\" apart in rich, well-drained soil in full sun or a little shade (good drainage is a must -- in poorly-drained soils, plant in raised beds). Dig trenches 12\" wide and 8-10\" deep, and mix in a generous amount of composted manure or other soil amendment plus some 5-10-10 fertilizer in the bottom of the trench. Plant roots so that the tops are 6-8\" below the top of the trench, and cover with 2\" of soil. As new plants grow, gradually fill in trench, but do not cover the new growing tips. 3. Water Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. 4. Prune Cut back foliage to 2\" above the ground when it turns brown to prevent unwanted seed formation. 5. Propagate Propagate by division of established root clumps.

• Buy When's the best time to buy this plant? When can you buy these from seed (if you can)? When is it usually available? What are things to look for when you're buying it? Or anything other tidbit of information you can share! January Buy big, healthy bare-root plants as available. February Buy big, healthy bare-root plants as available. November Buy big, healthy bare-root plants as available. December Buy big, healthy bare-root plants as available.

  Plant When's a good time to plant this plant or bulb? Any special planting instructions? January Plant fresh roots 12\" apart in rich, well-drained soil in full sun or a little shade (good drainage is a must -- in poorly-drained soils, plant in raised beds). Dig trenches 12\" wide and 8-10\" deep, and mix in a generous amount of composted manure or other soil amendment plus some 5-10-10 fertilizer in the bottom of the trench. Plant roots so that the tops are 6-8\" below the top of the trench, and cover with 2\" of soil. As new plants grow, gradually fill in trench, but do not cover the new growing tips. February Plant fresh roots 12\" apart in rich, well-drained soil in full sun or a little shade (good drainage is a must -- in poorly-drained soils, plant in raised beds). Dig trenches 12\" wide and 8-10\" deep, and mix in a generous amount of composted manure or other soil amendment plus some 5-10-10 fertilizer in the bottom of the trench. Plant roots so that the tops are 6-8\" below the top of the trench, and cover with 2\" of soil. As new plants grow, gradually fill in trench, but do not cover the new growing tips. November Plant fresh roots 12\" apart in rich, well-drained soil in full sun or a little shade (good drainage is a must -- in poorly-drained soils, plant in raised beds). Dig trenches 12\" wide and 8-10\" deep, and mix in a generous amount of composted manure or other soil amendment plus some 5-10-10 fertilizer in the bottom of the trench. Plant roots so that the tops are 6-8\" below the top of the trench, and cover with 2\" of soil. As new plants grow, gradually fill in trench, but do not cover the new growing tips. December Plant fresh roots 12\" apart in rich, well-drained soil in full sun or a little shade (good drainage is a must -- in poorly-drained soils, plant in raised beds). Dig trenches 12\" wide and 8-10\" deep, and mix in a generous amount of composted manure or other soil amendment plus some 5-10-10 fertilizer in the bottom of the trench. Plant roots so that the tops are 6-8\" below the top of the trench, and cover with 2\" of soil. As new plants grow, gradually fill in trench, but do not cover the new growing tips.

  Sow Seeds When can you plant these seeds? When's the best time? Can you start them indoors and move them out? Do they have any special requirements? March Asparagus may be grown from seed, but it will take a year longer to harvest as compared to bare-root plants. Sow seed directly in prepared beds or sow into pots and plant the young plants in the fall. April Asparagus may be grown from seed, but it will take a year longer to harvest as compared to bare-root plants. Sow seed directly in prepared beds or sow into pots and plant the young plants in the fall. May Asparagus may be grown from seed, but it will take a year longer to harvest as compared to bare-root plants. Sow seed directly in prepared beds or sow into pots and plant the young plants in the fall.

  Fertilize When should you fertilize this plant? Which kind of fertilizer do you recommend? Should you use different fertilizers at different times of year? February Fertilize with a 5-10-10 plant food. March Fertilize with a 5-10-10 plant food. June Fertilize with a 5-10-10 plant food. September Fertilize with a 5-10-10 plant food.

  Water Is there a time to reduce or increase watering? Any special requirements? Things to avoid during certain times of the year? January Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. February Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. March Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. April Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. May Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. June Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. July Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. August Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. September Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. October Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. November Water regularly and deeply during dry periods. December Water regularly and deeply during dry periods.

  Prune When's a good time to prune this plant? How about deadheading, pinching back, trimming or any other grooming? Any special requirements? August For a fall crop of asparagus, don\'t harvest in the spring, but let the foliage grow -- then cut back to 2\" from the ground in August. October Cut back foliage to 2\" above the ground when it turns brown to prevent unwanted seed formation. November Cut back foliage to 2\" above the ground when it turns brown to prevent unwanted seed formation. December Cut back foliage to 2\" above the ground when it turns brown to prevent unwanted seed formation.

  Mulch Does this plant need to be mulched? Are there specific types of Mulch which are better for this plant? How much? March Maintain a good mulch around plants to keep roots cool and conserve water use. April Maintain a good mulch around plants to keep roots cool and conserve water use. May Maintain a good mulch around plants to keep roots cool and conserve water use. June Maintain a good mulch around plants to keep roots cool and conserve water use. July Maintain a good mulch around plants to keep roots cool and conserve water use. August Maintain a good mulch around plants to keep roots cool and conserve water use. September Maintain a good mulch around plants to keep roots cool and conserve water use. October Maintain a good mulch around plants to keep roots cool and conserve water use.

  Propagate When's a good time to divide, take cuttings, layer or propagate this plant. Any special requirements? January Propagate by division of established root clumps. February Propagate by division of established root clumps. November Propagate by division of established root clumps. December Propagate by division of established root clumps.

  Harvest When's a good time to harvest this plant? What's the best way to harvest? Are there special requirements or features? March Harvest new spears when they are 5\" tall. For \"white asparagus\", cover new shoots with soil as they grow to protect them from the sun. April Harvest new spears when they are 5\" tall. For \"white asparagus\", cover new shoots with soil as they grow to protect them from the sun. May Harvest new spears when they are 5\" tall. For \"white asparagus\", cover new shoots with soil as they grow to protect them from the sun. October Harvest a fall crop from plants you didn\'t cut from in the spring and then cut back in August. November Harvest a fall crop from plants you didn\'t cut from in the spring and then cut back in August.