Asparagus plants are a perennial vegetable that can grow up to 6 feet tall. They have long, narrow stems with feathery foliage and small, white flowers. The edible spears are harvested in the spring before the foliage fully develops. Asparagus plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They are relatively low maintenance and can be harvested for several years once established.
Planning Your Garden With Asparagus
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Asparagus is a perennial. |
| USDA Zone | Asparagus is hardy in USDA Zones 3-8. |
| Cold Tolerance | Asparagus is generally considered to be cold hardy, and can tolerate temperatures as low as 25. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest for asparagus is usually around 60 days. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown asparagus plant is 3 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. |
| Spacing requirements | The best spacing for growing asparagus is 18-24 inches apart in rows that are spaced 3-4 feet apart. |
| Sun tolerance | Asparagus is a sun-loving plant and can tolerate full sun. However, it is best to provide some afternoon shade in hot climates to help prevent the foliage from scorching. |
| Shade tolerance | Asparagus is considered to be a semi-shade tolerant plant. It prefers full sun but can tolerate some partial shade, especially during the hottest part of the day. |
| Water requirements | Asparagus prefers well-drained soil that is kept consistently moist but not soggy. Water the asparagus plants deeply once or twice a week, providing 1 to 2 inches of water each time. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing asparagus depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the soil conditions. Generally, a light application of a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 5-10-5 should be applied at a rate of 1 to 2 pounds per 100 square feet. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing asparagus is 6.5 to 7.5. |
Why Asparagus is Popular
People like to grow asparagus because it is a perennial vegetable that can be harvested for many years, it is relatively easy to grow and maintain, and it is delicious. Asparagus is also a great source of vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A, C, E, and K, as well as folate, iron, and fiber.
Companion Plants For Asparagus
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for asparagus include:
Common Pests For Asparagus
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow asparagus, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- snails
- slugs
- aphids
- nematodes
- beetles
- cutworms
- asparagus beetles
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
