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Planting asparagus
Choosing Planting

Planting asparagus

When and how to do it?

Contents

Modified the 5 July 2024  by Ingrid B. 2 min.

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is a delicate and refined vegetable whose young stems (spears) are harvested. These are typically enjoyed with a simple vinaigrette, but can also be prepared as velouté soup, gratin or savoury tart. Growing asparagus requires space and patience, but the results are well worth the effort. A perennial plant adaptable to various climates, it can thrive and produce for over ten years, adding a touch of elegance and flavour to your vegetable garden. Discover all our tips for successful asparagus planting in your kitchen garden!

Difficulty

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Where to plant asparagus?

Asparagus is a perennial vegetable that thrives in all climates. It prefers sunny locations but can also be grown in partial shade. Its lifespan is very long (over 10 years), but cultivation requires considerable space.

Asparagus can be planted in most soil types, except overly wet ones, though it particularly favours sandy soils that warm up quickly in spring. It should be planted in a plot enriched with compost, at a rate of 3 kg per m2.

Plant asparagus in sunny spots, in rich, well-draining soil, preferably sandy

When to plant asparagus?

The ideal is to prepare the soil and enrich it in autumn, then plant the asparagus in March-April (as early as February in mild climates). Asparagus crowns should be planted in the garden as soon as possible after receipt: they must not dry out.

How to plant asparagus?

Preparatory Work (in Autumn):

  • Dig a trench 40 cm wide and 25 cm deep (this depth is reduced to 15 cm for green and purple asparagus, as they do not require earthing up). If planting in two rows, space the trenches 1.5 metres apart.
  • Set aside the excavated soil on the sides,
  • Loosen the bottom of the trench,
  • Add well-rotted compost, as well as sand to improve drainage in heavy soil, and mix them into the soil by raking.

Planting (from February to April):

  • In the trench, create small mounds of soil about 10 cm high and equally wide, spacing them 50 to 60 cm apart,
  • Place the crowns, tip upwards, and spread the roots over each mound,
  • Mark the position of each crown with a stake or by stretching a string along the row from start to finish,
  • Backfill the trench with the reserved soil to cover the crowns with a 3 cm layer of soil,
  • Water gently to avoid displacing the crowns.

The first harvest of asparagus occurs after three years of cultivation, during which they will be earthed up (for white asparagus) and staked as they grow.

How to plant asparagus

Place the asparagus crowns on small mounds of soil, then cover them