Purple Passion

Planting & Care for Edible Plants – Asparagus

Preparation

• Asparagus needs plenty of room to grow.
• Pick a sunny location to plant.
• Make sure your soil pH level is around 6.5-7.0. If you’re not sure contact your local UW Extension office to help test your soil level.
• Asparagus is planted in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked.
• Asparagus does not like to have its feet “wet,” so be sure your bed has good drainage. For that reason, raised beds can be a good place to plant asparagus.

Opening Plant Material

• Bare Root - Cut open the bundle (top and roots are tied) and separate all the plants. Soak roots in buckets of water until planted (preferably overnight). Each plant type will be labeled separately for identification. Do not expose the roots to sun. They should never dry out. Keep roots covered. All bare-root plants must be trimmed when planted. 

Planting Bare Root

• Prepare a bed of fine, loamy soil to which a liberal dressing of composted manure has been added and tilled in.
• Plant 1 foot apart in rows 4 feet apart.
• To plant, make a trench about 6" to 8" deep.
• Plant Asparagus with the bud facing upward and cover with 3" of soil. Water well.
• As plants start to grow, fill in trench with the additional soil until, by mid-summer, the ground is level.
• When the trench is filled, add a 4 to 8 inch layer of mulch and water regularly.
• Do not cut any new shoots, but allow the "ferny" foliage to grow and store food for next year.
• Scroll below and click on the orange box “Handling & Planting Guidelines” for an illustration on how to plant these bare root plants.

Pruning – After Planting

• Do not cut any new shoots, but allow the "ferny" foliage to grow and store food for next year.

Pruning - Through-out the Season

• Cut down dead foliage in late fall and side-dress with compost.

Harvesting

• Do not harvest the spears in the first year, but cut down dead foliage in late fall and side-dress with compost.
• Asparagus can take three growing seasons to harvest; you may be able to lightly harvest during the second year.

Watering - After Planting

• Plants typically take approximately 6 weeks to establish new roots in your soil. During this period, water plants as often as every 2-4 days at the start and at least a minimum of once per week. Beyond the 6 week establishment period, water once per week, unless rains occur.  
• Stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.

Watering - Through-out the Season

• After the first season, plants should only be watered during extended periods without rain.
• How do you know if your plants need water? The easiest way to tell is to touch the soil around the roots. If it is moist, there is no need to water. If it is dry, give it a good soaking with the hose end (no nozzle) watering the soil only, not the leaves.
• Stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.

Go to our "Plant Features & Video Tab" for more information & tips on caring and maintaining this plant.