Keep plants out of direct sunlight until the plants are established and growing well. But patience is a virtue when it comes to asparagus. Only harvest 3 to 4 weeks, then let the fern grow to strengthen the plants. Best results come from planting one-year old crowns. Sow seeds in the springtime in … The best time to divide asparagus fern is during spring when the plant is growing actively. Plant each section in individual pots and water well. It's a hardy and adaptable plant, but it's much harder to grow in areas with mild winters and wet summers, such as the Gulf Coast of the United States. Because asparagus is a perennial, you'll need to pick an out-of-the-way spot in the vegetable garden without competing plants. Prior to dividing, cut the stems to a length of about 6 inches to minimize long mingling stems. Amend the soil with generous amounts of compost, leaf litter and other rich organic components. Water enough to keep soil consistently moist. University of Florida Extension; Asparagus Fern; Greg MacDonald, et al. Asparagus fern (Protasparagus densiflorus) is not a real fern, but an evergreen, perennial member of the lily family. 1. Soak the … Step 1. Asparagus grows best in an open, sunny site, but will tolerate dappled shade. Keep pot at room temperature. Place the end in rooting powder and then 1 … Asparagus ferns cannot be propagated with cuttings. Asparagus Anatomy. A good patch can produce for 10 to 15 years! The recommended way to propagate new asparagus plants is with the use of seeds or by dividing the plants, as suggested by online plant resource Floridata. There is nothing nicer than growing your own crop and taking it fresh to the table. Then feed again with balanced fertilizer or compost after you harvest. Asparagus produce edible spears in the spring and can grow in a wide variety of colours. Plant wild asparagus in the spring, when soil temperatures reach 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant has however escaped cultivation in many regions and is classified as an invasive weed. The recommended way to propagate new asparagus plants is with the use of seeds or by dividing the... Propagating by Division. Otherwise, they steal water and nutrients from the other plants. All-male hybrid varieties are more productive and will not produce little seedlings that you’ll have to pull up next year. Asparagus does best in areas that have either cold winters, during which the ground freezes, or very dry summers. Make your cuts from young stable stems in the spring for quicker ... 2. The first and most appropriate way is to dig a trench 12 inches deep. Cut or snap off the stalk at ground level. A good rule of thumb is to plant 25 asparagus plants for a family of four. Not until the fifth year after planting can you safely cut for a whole season. Dig a hole about six inches deep, place crowns in the bottom of the hole, and spread roots out evenly. In fact, it’s a waste of time and energy to try because it takes years to mature and you’ll likely never get growing conditions right. Allow the seedlings to develop for at least one growing season before planting them out in rows the following season. The University of Missouri Extension also recommends propagating asparagus fern by division. You will know those reserves are there when you see spears as thick as your finger. Although you might get a few spears the first season, leave them be. Asparagus is one of those perennial vegetables that people seem to either love or hate. If you intend to start a small backyard garden, then I recommend learning how to grow asparagus from seed. How to grow Asparagus - The Lazy Way is a quick video showing you the quickest method on how to grow Asparagus. Unless you plan to save the seeds, it’s best to remove them to conserve energy. Each section should have a good number of roots, leaves and stems. Carefully slide out the plant from the containers. Keep watered, as asparagus likes lots of moisture. 1. Cut a 4-inch portion of the vine using a pair of sharp, clean gardening shears. They’ll grow in most parts of the U.S., but they do best in cool climates where they can go completely dormant during a long winter. Allow the foliage of your asparagus plants to yellow in autumn before cutting down to soil level for the winter. Asparagus doesn’t like crowds, so keep the plants about 18 inches apart. You can (and should) divide asparagus roots as the years go by and it starts to produce less. The best time to divide asparagus fern is during spring when the plant is growing actively. Sow in a medium sized pot filled with a good potting soil. Country Living participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. The best time to divide asparagus fern is during spring when the plant is growing actively. Asparagus is high in potassium, great for fibre, low in salt, and a terrific, healthy vegetable to grow. Then check readiness every day because spears can go from tender to woody in a matter of days. There are better ways to spend your time! Asparagus fern grows best in fertile, well-drained soil amended with humus. It is important to be prepared once you want to pull the … Soil temperatures for seed germination should be between 70-85 degrees F. (21-29 C.). Asparagus doesn’t like crowds, so keep the plants about 18 inches apart. How To Harvest Asparagus? Asparagus does best in lighter soils that warm up quickly in spring and drain well; standing water will quickly rot the roots. CUTTINGS. Your best bet is to purchase one-year old crowns (not seeds, which are cheaper but take forever to yield a crop!). Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Growth of asparagus foliage is an important part of the plant’s life cycle. A pH of 6.5-7.5 … I haven’t tried it, but I don’t think so. Your email address will not be published. Leave some spears to photosynthesize and build roots for next year’s crop. Plant. The Spruce / K. Dave How to Plant Asparagus . Asparagus has male and female plants – males grow bigger and produce better spears so female plants, which grow red berries, should be discarded. Dig a hole about six inches deep, place crowns in the bottom of the hole, and spread roots out evenly. (Reference 5). Arricca SanSone writes for CountryLiving.com, WomansDay.com, Family Circle, MarthaStewart.com, Cooking Light, Parents.com, and many others. Mr friend's mother started one about 25 yrs ago, and now the plants grow everywhere, along the fence, along the driveway. Then plant your plants and as the summer goes on and the asparagus … Asparagus is a perennial, so it comes back every year on its own. 2. For planting outdoors, start seeds 14 to 18 months prior to last frost date in the area. Cover with two inches of soil. Wait until foliage turns yellow or brown and the plant becomes dormant before pruning.