How to Grow Asparagus

Intermediate

Asparagus officinalis

A long-lived perennial vegetable that produces tender spears every spring for 15–20 years once established. Requires patience — do not harvest for the first two years to allow root crowns to develop. Thrives in well-drained soil with full sun.

Last updated: June 2026

Days to Maturity
730–1095 days
typical
Per Square Foot
1
Plant Spacing
46 cm / 18"
Sun
8+ hours
Water
1.0" / 25 mm
Fertilization
moderate feeder

Growing Notes

Plant one-year-old crowns in trenches 15–20 cm deep in early spring. Do not harvest until the third year. Cut spears when 15–20 cm tall. Stop harvesting when spears thin to pencil size. Let ferns grow all summer to feed the roots for next year.

Varieties & Cultivars

6 cultivars in our database. Click any card to see growing details.

All-male hybrid

(3)
Atlas
730–1095 days Hybrid

thrives in warm climates; heavy producer of thick spears; resistant to rust and fusarium

Height
47–60" (120–152 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
0.7 oz (20 g)
Support
none
Harvest
continuous
USDA Zones
4–10
Seed saving
difficult
Seed viability
3 years
Jersey Knight
730–1095 days Hybrid

tolerant of heavy clay and wet soils; good disease resistance; produces thick spears; thrives in imperfect conditions

Height
47–60" (120–152 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
0.6 oz (18 g)
Support
none
Harvest
continuous
USDA Zones
3–10
Seed saving
difficult
Seed viability
3 years
Jersey Supreme
730–1095 days Hybrid

vigorous production; disease resistant; thick tender spears; performs well in varied conditions

Height
47–60" (120–152 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
0.7 oz (20 g)
Support
none
Harvest
continuous
USDA Zones
3–10
Seed saving
difficult
Seed viability
3 years

Classic 1800s heirloom

(1)
Connover's Colossal
730–1095 days Open-Pollinated

high yield; reliable long-lived bed; excellent flavour; produces both male and female plants

Height
47–60" (120–152 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
0.7 oz (20 g)
Support
none
Harvest
continuous
USDA Zones
3–9
Seed saving
moderate
Seed viability
3 years

Classic heirloom since 1919

(1)
Mary Washington
730–1095 days Open-Pollinated

vigorous and disease-resistant; most widely grown variety worldwide; reliable 15+ year producer

Height
47–60" (120–152 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
0.5 oz (15 g)
Support
none
Harvest
continuous
USDA Zones
3–9
Seed saving
moderate
Seed viability
3 years

Deep burgundy-purple spears

(1)
Purple Passion
730–1095 days Open-Pollinated

20% higher sugar; colour fades to green when cooked; stunning raw or lightly grilled

Height
47–60" (120–152 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
0.6 oz (16 g)
Support
none
Harvest
continuous
USDA Zones
3–9
Seed saving
moderate
Seed viability
3 years

Companion Planting

What to grow alongside asparagus, and what to keep apart.

Plant With

Strawberry : Asparagus and strawberries share space well; asparagus ferns shade strawberries in summer
Parsley : Parsley attracts beneficial insects and provides ground cover around asparagus crowns
Spinach : Spinach grows well in partial shade of asparagus ferns; complementary harvest windows
Basil : Basil repels aphids and attracts pollinators near asparagus
Dill : Dill attracts parasitic wasps that control asparagus beetle larvae
Tomato : Tomatoes repel asparagus beetles; asparagus deters root-knot nematodes that attack tomatoes
Lettuce : Lettuce fills space between asparagus crowns in early spring before ferns emerge

Keep Apart

Potato : Potatoes compete for nutrients and harbour root diseases
Onion : Onions compete for nutrients and may inhibit asparagus root growth
Garlic : Garlic root exudates may stunt asparagus crown development

Square Foot Spacing

1 per sq ft

12" apart (entire square)

View full spacing chart →

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