Asparagus from seed to harvest

If started from seed, asparagus will take about 3 years to become productive. One-year-old asparagus crowns will need two years of growth prior to harvesting and two-year-old crowns, just one year. Be patient the first year of cutting by limiting spear harvesting to a 10-day period.

How long does it take to grow asparagus from seed?
What happens if you plant asparagus too close together?
Why can't you harvest asparagus the first year?
How many times can you harvest asparagus?
How many asparagus do you get from one plant?
Should I let my asparagus go to seed?
What can you not plant near asparagus?
Does asparagus like sun or shade?
Why are my asparagus spears so thin?
Does asparagus regrow after cutting?
Does asparagus spread on its own?
How many hours of sun does asparagus need?

How long does it take to grow asparagus from seed?

Asparagus seeds can take 21 days — and even far longer — to germinate. A savvy gardener knows to not give up because young shoots may be about to emerge. The seedlings themselves require several weeks to reach two inches in height, the size right for transplanting into a growing bed.

What happens if you plant asparagus too close together?

If planted too close together, asparagus crowns will produce new stalks for only a few years. With enough space and good care, the crowns should last at least 20 years. ... Do stay ahead of the weeds; asparagus will give up instead of competing with them.

Why can't you harvest asparagus the first year?

How to Harvest Asparagus. Don't harvest any asparagus spears during the first two years that plants are in the permanent bed because they need to put energy into establishing deep roots. During the third season, pick the spears over a four-week period, and by the fourth year, extend your harvest to eight weeks.

How many times can you harvest asparagus?

Early in the season, 7-to-9 inch spears might be harvested every two to four days. As air temperatures increase, harvesting frequencies will increase to once or twice per day. Growers can have up to 24 harvests per season, after which crowns are allowed to fern and grow out.

How many asparagus do you get from one plant?

Each plant yields about 1/2 pound of asparagus spears each harvest.

Should I let my asparagus go to seed?

Since you will only have the leaf buds of asparagus on your plate, you don't have to let the plant go to seed. The ferns with berries tend to bend towards the ground and touch the wet soil, which can spread a fungal disease in the plants.

What can you not plant near asparagus?

There are two main crops to avoid growing alongside asparagus: Alliums. Alliums like leeks, garlic, and onion sharing the soil with asparagus are said to stunt its growth. That doesn't mean you have to choose between them: Just plant any alliums a good distance away from asparagus beds and they'll be fine.

Does asparagus like sun or shade?

Light requirements: Full sun. Plant asparagus on the west or north side of a garden so the tall plants won't shade other vegetables in summer. Planting: Space 12 to 18 inches apart. Soil requirements: Asparagus needs well-drained, nutrient-rich soil.

Why are my asparagus spears so thin?

Thin asparagus spears appear for a number of reasons, but the root cause is ultimately the same: the asparagus crown lacks the rigor to create bigger shoots. ... Improper Feeding – Asparagus are somewhat heavy feeders and need all the food they can get in order to build strong spears the following year.

Does asparagus regrow after cutting?

Now, let's get to the question: does asparagus regrow after cutting. The answer is yes because perennial plants return year after year.

Does asparagus spread on its own?

Asparagus also needs space, about 4 to 5 feet for each plant. They won't spread out much the first couple of years, but once established they will quickly fill in. ... Unlike many plants, the roots of asparagus crowns can withstand some air exposure, and you will usually find them for sale loose.

How many hours of sun does asparagus need?

How much sun do asparagus need? The recommended amount of sunlight to grow asparagus is 7 to 8 hours a day. Morning sunlight will be essential and 6 hours should be considered the minimum.