Asparagus is one of the first green vegetables to grow in late winter, and its appearance heralds the coming of spring. How do you grow these soft, fragile, nutrient-rich asparagus in your garden? You can start by planting seeds or, if you want to harvest the fruit more quickly, grow asparagus crowns. Once planted, new asparagus sprouts will sprout every spring for the next 12 to 25 years.
How to grow asparagus is part of a series of tutorials on growing asparagus. The tutorial also includes preparation for growing asparagus, growing asparagus from seeds, planting one-year corollas, caring for mature plants, and harvesting Asparagus, if you want to know how to grow asparagus, follow the production department to learn the steps of growing asparagus.
How to grow asparagus
1See if asparagus grows well in your area. Asparagus grows best in areas where winters are cold enough to freeze the ground, or where summers are very dry. It is a hardy, adaptable plant, but can be difficult to grow in areas with mild winters and wet summers, such as the U.S. Gulf Coast.
2Decide whether to start with seeds or crowns. Asparagus seeds take 3 years to grow before they bear fruit. The seeds germinate during the first period of growth and then take two years to send their long, water-absorbing roots deep into the soil. When you plant corollas, you can skip the first period and go straight to the rooting step, so you only need to plant them two years in advance. 
3Asparagus seeds have a low germination rate, so its hard to know how much you'll end up harvesting. However, asparagus grown from seeds survives longer and produces more shoots than those grown from corollas. - Asparagus crowns labeled "two-year crowns" may provide you with a harvest one year after planting. However, the process of transplanting already established asparagus can damage them, and they often need to stay in the same soil conditions for another two years before reaching full production.
4Choose a planting site for your asparagus. Because asparagus can produce young shoots continuously for up to 25 years, you need to prepare a location that can be dedicated to growing asparagus for a long time. The place should have the following features: - Adequate light. Asparagus grows best in full sun. Because it buds in early spring, its okay to choose a spot near a tree that hasn't yet grown leaves. Just make sure the asparagus roots are not shaded by trees or buildings.
- Well-drained soil. The soil should be loose and well-drained. Asparagus will rot when grown in waterlogged soil.
- Leave some space for growing roots. This is optional, although asparagus grows well in the ground, it is easier for weeds to take over the roots as it grows, drying out the asparagus completely.
5Buy asparagus seeds or asparagus crowns. Asparagus seeds and asparagus crowns are available at home garden stores, nurseries, or online. Seeds can be found year-round, but flower crowns are usually only available in early spring, just before they should be planted. - Asparagus plants are hermaphroditic, meaning each plant is both female and male. Female plants put their energy into producing seeds, so they don't produce as many young stems as male plants. Some species of asparagus are designed to produce only male plants. If you choose this asparagus, and choose a mixCompared to varieties, you will only need to plant half as many corollas.
- Asparagus seeds are not usually separated by sex, so female plants are removed as soon as they sprout.
- Choose a rust-resistant variety, such as one of the many 'Jersey' varieties, or 'Mary Washington'.
- If you are buying flower crowns, choose ones that look healthy; they should be grey-brown, large and plump. Buy a day or so before planting.
- Purple asparagus and other genetic varieties can be found in nurseries. You can create white asparagus by protecting the young stems from sunlight with soil.
DIY Tips
- Consider waiting an extra year before harvesting asparagus, or harvesting only part of the vegetable (2 to 3 young stems per plant) the first year of your harvest. The longer you leave asparagus to grow, the longer they will live and the better your harvest will be later on.
Grow asparagus
How to care for mature asparagus. Illustrated tutorial on growing asparagus
How to grow corolla asparagus for one year. Illustrated tutorial on growing asparagus
How to harvest asparagus and grow asparagus picture tutorial
How to grow asparagus Tutorial on growing asparagus from seeds
