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You grow asparagus crowns by planting one-year-old dormant roots in deep, well-drained soil, usually in early spring.
These crowns are the underground root systems that will eventually produce spears for decades if you plant them correctly.
If you’ve ever wondered how do you grow asparagus crowns, the good news is it’s a straightforward process that just takes a little patience.
Unlike most vegetables, asparagus is a long-term investment that rewards you with fresh spears every spring for 15 to 20 years.
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how do you grow asparagus crowns, from choosing the right spot to planting them at the correct depth.
Let’s dig in.
How Do You Grow Asparagus Crowns: The Basics
Growing asparagus crowns starts with understanding what they actually are.
A crown is a dormant one-year-old root system that looks a bit like a tangled spider with a bud cluster on top.
When you grow asparagus crowns, you’re essentially giving these roots a permanent home where they’ll establish themselves and send up spears year after year.
The key to how do you grow asparagus crowns successfully is preparing the soil deeply before you plant.
Asparagus roots can reach six feet underground, so loose, rich, well-drained soil is non-negotiable.
If your soil is heavy clay, amend it with compost and sand to improve drainage.
Asparagus hates soggy feet, and waterlogged roots will rot before they ever produce a single spear.
1. Choose the Right Location
Pick a spot that gets at least six to eight hours of full sun every day.
Asparagus is a perennial, so wherever you plant your crowns, they’ll stay there for years.
Avoid areas where water pools after rain, and keep them away from competing tree roots.
2. Prepare the Soil Deeply
Dig a trench about 12 to 15 inches wide and 6 to 8 inches deep.
Mix in plenty of aged manure or compost at the bottom of the trench.
This gives the crowns a nutrient-rich bed to spread their roots into.
3. Plant at the Right Depth
Set each crown in the trench with the bud cluster facing up.
Space them 12 to 18 inches apart, and cover with just two inches of soil at first.
As the spears grow, gradually fill in the trench over the season.
How Do You Grow Asparagus Crowns After Planting?
Once your crowns are in the ground, how do you grow asparagus crowns into a productive bed?
The first year is all about patience and root development.
You shouldn’t harvest anything the first year, and only a light harvest the second year.
By the third spring, you can start cutting spears for about four to six weeks.
Water deeply once a week, especially during dry spells, and keep the bed mulched to suppress weeds.
Weeds are the enemy of young asparagus crowns because they compete for nutrients and water.
Fertilize lightly in early spring and again after harvest with a balanced organic fertilizer.
1. Water Consistently
Asparagus crowns need about one inch of water per week.
Deep watering encourages deep roots, which makes the plants more drought-tolerant.
2. Control Weeds Early
Hand-pull weeds rather than hoeing, which can damage shallow roots.
A thick layer of straw or leaf mulch keeps weeds down and retains moisture.
3. Let Ferns Grow
After harvest, let the spears grow into tall, ferny stalks.
These ferns photosynthesize and send energy back to the crowns for next year’s crop.
Cut them back only after they turn brown in late fall or winter.
Common Mistakes When You Grow Asparagus Crowns
Even seasoned gardeners make mistakes when they grow asparagus crowns.
Planting too shallow is one of the biggest errors, as it leads to weak, spindly spears.
Another mistake is harvesting too early, which stresses the young crowns and reduces future yields.
Overwatering is also a problem, especially in clay soil where drainage is poor.
And finally, forgetting to amend the soil before planting can stunt growth for years.
Avoid these pitfalls, and your asparagus crowns will thrive.
1. Planting Too Shallow
Shallow planting causes the crowns to dry out and produce thin spears.
Always plant at least six inches deep and fill in gradually.
2. Harvesting Too Soon
Give your crowns two full years to establish before cutting heavily.
Patience now means decades of harvests later.
3. Poor Drainage
If water sits around the crowns, they’ll rot.
Raised beds are a great solution for heavy clay soils.
So, How Do You Grow Asparagus Crowns?
You grow asparagus crowns by planting dormant roots in deep, well-drained soil in early spring.
Give them full sun, consistent moisture, and plenty of patience during the first two years.
Avoid shallow planting, early harvesting, and soggy soil, and your crowns will reward you with fresh spears for decades.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned gardener, now you know exactly how do you grow asparagus crowns successfully.
Happy planting!