Rows of asparagus should be at least 2 feet apart, allowing two rows to fit in a 4-foot wide bed. For every 8 feet of row space, you will need about a wheelbarrow filled two-thirds of the way with equal parts of the excavated soil and compost.
How much space does an asparagus plant need?
Space green varieties 8–14″ apart in-row and purple varieties 6–8″ apart in-row; closer spacing of purple asparagus creates more slender spears. Allow 3–6′ between rows. Cover crowns with 2–3″ of soil at planting. As spears grow, gradually fill in furrow.
How many asparagus can you plant in a square foot?
Plant List
| Plant | Number | Spacing |
|---|---|---|
| Asparagus | 9 | 1′ 5″ |
| Beans (Pole) | 8 | 9″ |
| Broccoli | 8 | 1′ 5″ |
| Carrot | 16 | 3″ |
How many asparagus do you get from one root?
When the asparagus crowns are properly established, you should be able to cut 8-10 spears from each crown, but the crop will be spread out over six weeks. That is why you need so many crowns to get a decent picking at any one time. If you like gadgets, you will cut your spears with an asparagus knife.
How far apart should asparagus roots be planted?
15-18 inches apart
Asparagus spears will be larger the deeper the roots are planted. Back fill with 2” of loose soil and Espoma Plant-tone and water the trench well. Set the roots 15-18 inches apart, mounding the soil slightly under each plant so the crown is slightly above the root.
How much asparagus should I plant for a family of 4?
Growing white asparagus is a matter of layering soil over the spears so they don’t produce chlorophyll; you can do this with any variety. Ten crowns will fit in a 4-by-8-foot bed and are generally enough to supply a family of four.
How close together can I plant asparagus?
Young asparagus plants will grow here for their first year. The site for the asparagus nursery should be level and have sandy soil. Plant seed in spring, about one inch deep, spaced two to three inches apart, within rows that are a foot apart. Seeds can take three weeks to germinate.
How close can you plant asparagus crowns?
Make a 2-inch-high ridge of soil along the center of the trench and place the asparagus crowns on top of the mound, spreading their roots out evenly. Within the trench, space asparagus crowns 12 to 18 inches apart (measured from root tip to root tip).
How deep should a raised bed be for asparagus?
12 inches
Soil preparation
Start with well-draining soil that’s about 8 inches below the rim of your bed. That means your raised bed needs to be at least 12 inches high to give the roots room to grow, though I recommend building a bed up to 24 inches high for easy harvesting. (My own asparagus bed is 36 inches high!
How deep should an asparagus bed be?
Plant asparagus about 12 inches deep in the soil. Asparagus likes to grow in rich soils, and will deplete the nutrients over time. Be sure to amend the planting area with organic matter and soil amendments like compost if you haven’t already done so. Use a soil mix rich in organic matter.
Do asparagus plants spread?
Yes, asparagus will spread as it grows. Asparagus roots can spread out up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) underground. Asparagus ferns (mature spears with foliage) can spread out 3 feet (90 centimeters) above ground. An older, more mature asparagus plant will send up more spears from its larger crown and energy reserves.
How many Spears will one asparagus crown produce?
HOW MUCH TO PLANT: How well do you like asparagus? It freezes well and the quality stays good, so you might want to grow some extra for winter use! An average family will probably want 25 to 50 crowns for fresh use. (One crown will ultimately yield approximately ½ pound of asparagus spears per season).
How many times a year can you harvest asparagus?
Early in the season, you might harvest 7- to 9-inch spears every two to four days. As air temperatures increase, harvesting frequencies will increase to once or twice per day. You can have up to 24 harvests per season, after which you can allow crowns to fern and grow out.
Can you plant asparagus 12 inches apart?
Because asparagus is a perennial, you’ll need to designate a place in the vegetable garden or, even better, build a separate bed. Asparagus needs space. so plant the crowns 12 to 18 inches apart. They won’t spread out much the first couple of years, but once established they will quickly fill in.
How wide do asparagus plants get?
Asparagus
| genus name | Asparagus officinalis |
|---|---|
| light | Sun |
| plant type | Vegetable |
| height | 6 to 12 inches 1 to 3 feet 3 to 8 feet |
| width | From 1 to 3 feet |
What grows well with asparagus?
Here are a few examples of good companions for asparagus:
- Nightshades, like tomatoes and eggplant.
- Basil and parsley.
- Coriander, comfrey, and dill.
- Members of the Aster family, like marigolds and nasturtiums.
How long do asparagus plants last?
With proper care and in the right environment, asparagus live 7 years or more.
Can you grow asparagus in a raised bed?
By planting the asparagus crowns in a raised bed with a soil mix that includes loamy, organic matter, you can ensure good drainage. Another reason to plant asparagus in a raised bed is because it is a perennial crop and can remain productive for 10 to 12 years.
Does asparagus have deep roots?
Asparagus roots grow to an astonishing size of 5–6 feet (1.5–1.8 meters) in diameter and 10–15 feet (3–4.5 meters) deep. These plants, sometimes mistakenly called asparagus ferns, are also highly invasive. For this reason, it’s sometimes pejoratively referred to as a perennial weed.
Can you grow asparagus in a planter box?
Fill the bottom 2 inches (5 cm.) of the pot with gravel. Then, fill the remainder with a mix of high quality potting soil and compost. Plant the asparagus crown into the container by following the package instructions, most often, planting the crown about 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm.)
How do you prepare the soil for asparagus?
Asparagus does best in lighter soils that warm up quickly in spring and drain well; standing water will quickly rot the roots. Prepare a planting bed for your asparagus —simple raised beds work best — that’s about 4 feet wide by removing all perennial weeds and roots, and digging in aged manure or compost.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.