How Does Asparagus Grow?

 

USDA Hardiness Zones 4 - 9

 

Asparagus is a herbaceous plant and one of the few perennial vegetables that grows in North America, meaning that it is a vegetable crop that needs to be planted once only once, but is harvested year after year. A well-maintained asparagus plant may continue producing edibles for up to twenty years.

 

Asparagus thrives in all zones in North America, except for the warmest zones with climates higher than USDA Hardiness Zone 9. It grows best in sunny areas in well-drained soil. Without full sun exposure, the plant is too weak to produce robust stalks for consumption. Asparagus should be planted in soil with a pH level between 6 and 7. 

 

Asparagus shoots, which emerge in spring, are what we think of as the asparagus spears we eat. They remain shoots for only a few days at which time they need to be harvested.  At this point, they are 6 to 8 inches in height and the end of the spear is tightly closed. Then they quickly mature into feathery, fern-like clouds that grow up to 5’ tall and 3’ wide. Full maturation must occur annually so the ferns can transfer energy to the roots for good spear development the following season. For this reason, it is important to leave some asparagus stalks in the crop during each spring harvest. 

 

Seasonal Growth

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Health Benefits

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History

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Propagation

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Asparagus may be grown from seed, but will take up to three years to begin producing stalks. Asparagus crown division is a more common process, due to its higher success rate and more timely yield.

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Storage

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Fun Facts