Asparagus officinalis Plant Care Reminders
Garden asparagus
Edible AsparagusYou can copy this plant care and use it as-is or make it your own.
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General Information
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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
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Plant Care Instruction
- Instructions By Month
- Instructions By Task
- Find Your Gardening Climate Zone
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Scroll down or click on any month for plant care instructions
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November
- December
January1. BuyBuy big, healthy bare-root plants as available.2. PlantPlant 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. WaterWater regularly and deeply during dry periods.4. PropagatePropagate by division of established root clumps.February1. BuyBuy big, healthy bare-root plants as available.2. PlantPlant 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. FertilizeFertilize with a 5-10-10 plant food.4. WaterWater regularly and deeply during dry periods.5. PropagatePropagate by division of established root clumps.March1. Sow SeedsAsparagus 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. WaterWater regularly and deeply during dry periods.3. MulchMaintain a good mulch around plants to keep roots cool and conserve water use.4. HarvestHarvest new spears when they are 5\" tall. For \"white asparagus\", cover new shoots with soil as they grow to protect them from the sun.April1. Sow SeedsAsparagus 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. WaterWater regularly and deeply during dry periods.3. MulchMaintain a good mulch around plants to keep roots cool and conserve water use.4. HarvestHarvest new spears when they are 5\" tall. For \"white asparagus\", cover new shoots with soil as they grow to protect them from the sun.May1. Sow SeedsAsparagus 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. WaterWater regularly and deeply during dry periods.3. MulchMaintain a good mulch around plants to keep roots cool and conserve water use.4. HarvestHarvest new spears when they are 5\" tall. For \"white asparagus\", cover new shoots with soil as they grow to protect them from the sun.June1. FertilizeFertilize with a 5-10-10 plant food.2. WaterWater regularly and deeply during dry periods.3. MulchMaintain a good mulch around plants to keep roots cool and conserve water use.July1. WaterWater regularly and deeply during dry periods.2. MulchMaintain a good mulch around plants to keep roots cool and conserve water use.August1. WaterWater regularly and deeply during dry periods.2. PruneFor 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. MulchMaintain a good mulch around plants to keep roots cool and conserve water use.September1. FertilizeFertilize with a 5-10-10 plant food.2. WaterWater regularly and deeply during dry periods.3. MulchMaintain a good mulch around plants to keep roots cool and conserve water use.October1. WaterWater regularly and deeply during dry periods.2. MulchMaintain a good mulch around plants to keep roots cool and conserve water use.3. HarvestHarvest a fall crop from plants you didn\'t cut from in the spring and then cut back in August.November1. BuyBuy big, healthy bare-root plants as available.2. PlantPlant 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. WaterWater regularly and deeply during dry periods.4. PruneCut back foliage to 2\" above the ground when it turns brown to prevent unwanted seed formation.5. PropagatePropagate by division of established root clumps.6. HarvestHarvest a fall crop from plants you didn\'t cut from in the spring and then cut back in August.December1. BuyBuy big, healthy bare-root plants as available.2. PlantPlant 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. WaterWater regularly and deeply during dry periods.4. PruneCut back foliage to 2\" above the ground when it turns brown to prevent unwanted seed formation.5. PropagatePropagate 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.