Asparagus plants need well-draining soil that’s rich with compost for optimal growth. Crown-grown asparagus plants tend to develop faster, though proper conditions must first be created before seed can sprout.
Start by cutting an asparagus piece at an acute 45-degree angle with a sharp knife, dipping its end in rooting hormone and submerging partially in water, making sure all nodes remain above water level. Alternate between changing out water frequently.
Preparation
Asparagus is a perennial vegetable that produces spear-shaped shoots every spring. Although you can plant asparagus seeds directly, crowns or roots tend to produce faster crops with greater ease compared to sowing seeds directly. Plus, this method costs significantly less than purchasing plants at garden centers while taking up less space overall! Keep in mind, however, that asparagus takes several years to bear fruit, making transplanting not as straightforward.
For optimal asparagus cuttings, choose an approximately one or two year-old plant with three nodes (the swellings where leaves attach to the stem), cut it at 45-degree angles using a sharp knife, and split into multiple new plants using rooting hormone. Alternatively, rooting hormone can also encourage root development in asparagus cuttings.
As soon as you take an asparagus cutting, thoroughly wash it with water to eliminate any dirt or microbes that might be on it. Set it in a glass of clean water. Mist frequently and pour your water on gently if you prefer that method – be mindful not to disturb its roots in any way! If no glass is available, place asparagus in an opaque container with lid instead.
Once a cutting has several roots, it’s time to plant it in its final spot. Choose a sunny location without weeds where possible; asparagus thrives best in sandy soil but will tolerate other forms of soil as well. Before planting, mix compost or other organic matter into its bed in order to improve drainage.
Keep the asparagus bed weed-free by regularly hand weeding or using a rototiller, as weeds are known to kill plants quickly. Fertilize once every two weeks using general plant fertilizer diluted half strength for outdoor plants (applying too much fertilizer may overstimulate and cause weak or dying plants), in addition to spraying regular with fungicide or pesticide to protect from disease and insect infestations.
Transplanting
Growing asparagus using cuttings instead of seeds saves both time and effort, as it allows you to use asparagus crowns that can be found for sale every spring. Asparagus seeds require long growing seasons to fully germinate.
Step one in planting asparagus is to prepare the soil. Asparagus prefers sandy, well-drained soil that drains well; it can tolerate clay soil if it has been amended with compost. Furthermore, its location should receive full sun without any weeds growing nearby.
Dig a trench 12-18 inches deep and 6-12 inches wide before clearing away any weeds or debris in the area. Supplement the soil with compost or organic matter such as manure to increase drainage capacity and fertility.
To prepare asparagus cuttings for planting, wash and drain them thoroughly before cutting their stems to 4-6 inch lengths and ensuring each cutting contains at least one node (swollen areas where leaves attach to the stem), remove any leaves at the top, and cut just above this node; this node will serve as the future home for new asparagus plants to emerge.
Once your asparagus cuttings have been washed and placed in water, cover them with plastic bags or other covering to create an incubation chamber and keep moisture locked into their root zone. After about one week or so, roots should begin forming on them!
Once its roots have grown, planting asparagus is simple. Transplant it directly into a garden bed or container – just remember it takes several years until harvest time comes around!
To speed up the process, use a rooting hormone which will enable asparagus to grow faster and stronger.
Once established asparagus plants have reached maturity, you may wish to divide and spread them. To do so, carefully dig up their crown, handle it gently and divide into multiple smaller sections each with multiple growing points – leaving as many strong parts with multiple roots attached as possible.
Care
Asparagus plants don’t like being transplanted, so if it becomes necessary, try to move them as soon as possible. If that isn’t possible, place the crowns in a shaded location and keep them moist until planting time arrives.
Asparagus should be planted during spring when all frost danger has passed and soil temperatures have increased, as this provides optimal conditions for new growth and crown planting (though it will still take two or more years before spears appear).
Asparagus thrives in many different soil conditions, but sandy or light, loamy soils with good drainage tend to perform best. When amending the soil before planting asparagus, make sure you incorporate lots of compost – this will also ensure an area for just asparagus! To maximize success when growing asparagus from seeds indoors or in containers.
Once the cuttings are planted, cover them with a layer of mulch to help retain moisture and guard against cold. A 6-inch layer is recommended. If possible, select non-chemical mulch varieties as these could interfere with plant health.
Rooting hormone is a great way to ensure fast root formation; however, excessive use can hinder growth by prompting too much foliage production from cuttings that sap their energy for healthy plant development and growth.
A trench is the best way to plant asparagus. Dig a trench that measures 12-18 inches long by 8-12 inches wide and fill it with compost, phosphorus fertilizer or soil mix, soak the roots for about 15 minutes in warm water, plant your asparagus by spreading out its roots through the trench and covering its base with more soil mix or mulch as you do so.
Harvest
Although asparagus can be grown from seeds, most people opt to purchase and plant one-year-old crowns instead. Crowns are available at many garden centers or can be ordered through mail order services; planting with these crowns eliminates much of the tedious weeding that comes with growing asparagus from seeds while simultaneously increasing production overall.
Before planting asparagus crowns in any area, ensure the soil in that location has adequate drainage. Amending it with compost or fertilizer may help improve drainage further. Once this step is completed, dig a trench approximately 12 inches wide by 6 to 12 inches deep to plant your crowns.
Fill the bottom few inches of the trench with a soil mix containing compost and phosphorus fertilizer, place an asparagus crown 6 to 8 inches below the surface, and cover everything with straw or hay mulch as this will keep soil warm, maintain moisture levels and slow evaporation.
Misting systems can help keep asparagus moist but not wet, while fertilizers should only be used on plants grown from cuttings as regular use may increase foliage at the expense of roots, potentially weakening it over time.
Asparagus is a perennial plant, so once planted in your garden it will return each year. However, during its first year you should leave any harvesting until its fully established. Beginning harvesting after that first year should only remove up to 50% of spears per plant for optimal success.
Weeding asparagus can be done manually or with a hoe, with its shallow roots easily being pulled by hand or hoe. Once June arrives, its plants begin shading the ground with their foliage.
