Planting Asparagus Crowns Outdoors: A Beginner’s Guide

Planting asparagus crowns is the first step to establishing a productive, long-lasting garden bed. With proper preparation, spacing, and care, you can enjoy tender spears for 15 years or more. After over 30 years of growing asparagus in California, I’ve developed a reliable method for planting crowns outdoors that ensures strong, healthy plants from the start.

Table of Contents

Step 1: Choose the Right Location

Sunlight: Select a site with full sun, at least 6–8 hours per day.
Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil is essential; sandy loam works best.
Space: Avoid planting where asparagus previously grew to reduce disease risk.

Step 2: Prepare the Bed

Trenching: Dig trenches 12–18 inches wide and 6–12 inches deep.
Soil Amendment: Mix in compost or aged manure to enrich the soil.
Leveling: Create a slight mound at the bottom of each trench for crowns to sit on.

Step 3: Plant the Crowns

Spacing: Place crowns 12–18 inches apart, spreading roots outward gently.
Depth: Cover crowns with 2 inches of soil initially; gradually fill trench as shoots grow.
Watering: Water thoroughly after planting to settle soil around roots.

Step 4: Mulch and Maintain

Mulching: Apply 2–3 inches of straw or shredded leaves to conserve moisture.
Weeding: Keep trenches free of weeds, especially during the first year.
Fertilizing: Light feeding with balanced organic fertilizer encourages strong fern growth.

My Experience and Key Takeaways

Starting crowns correctly sets the foundation for decades of harvests. I’ve found that careful spacing, gradual backfilling, and consistent watering produce vigorous plants and abundant spears year after year.

Asparagus Growing Hub

Start here: The Ultimate Asparagus Growing Guide: From Seed to Harvest

Planting & Establishment

Care & Maintenance

Pests & Diseases

Harvest & Storage

Kitchen & Varieties

Stephen Albert

Stephen Albert is a horticulturist, master gardener, and certified nurseryman who has taught at the University of California for more than 25 years. He holds graduate degrees from the University of California and the University of Iowa. His books include Vegetable Garden Grower’s Guide, Vegetable Garden Almanac & Planner, Tomato Grower’s Answer Book, and Kitchen Garden Grower’s Guide. His Vegetable Garden Grower’s Masterclass is available online. Harvesttotable.com has more than 10 million visitors each year.

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