Where To Plant Asparagus (How Much Sun Asparagus Needs)?
Asparagus is one of those vegetables you can count on to return to your veggie patch year after year, without too much assistance from you! As long as asparagus is planted correctly, you can expect a tender and tasty crop to appear during the Spring of every year!
Asparagus can be planted in full sun in cooler climates and semi-shade in warmer regions. You can plant asparagus directly into the ground, raised beds, containers, or even indoors in pots or window boxes.
By planning where to plant asparagus and planting correctly, you can reap the benefits of your careful planning and growing methods with delicious, tasty asparagus spears fresh from your garden for up to 30 years per plant!
Where Can Asparagus Be Planted?
Asparagus will grow well outdoors when planted directly into the soil or raised beds. Containers are another great option for a limited crop, but, ideally, asparagus requires ample garden space for its roots to spread.
When growing asparagus, the thing to remember is that it is a perennial, long-term growing plant that will require dedication and commitment from the gardener.
Asparagus is not difficult to grow, but you will need to plan where to grow it as it will be a feature for many years in your garden. As asparagus takes a few seasons to mature and will be productive year after year, it should be left undisturbed to grow as it needs to throughout the seasons.
When planting asparagus, make sure that you have enough space to plant each crown a distance of 18 inches (45 cm) apart to allow their roots to spread unchecked. Each established plant requires an area of about 4 to 5 feet (1 to 1.5 meters), so make sure to consider space requirements when planning your asparagus beds!
The best position in your garden to grow asparagus and keep it safe and undisturbed by your gardening activities should preferably be a sunny bed towards the edge of your garden. Ensure that the growing area remains a fertile, secure, undisturbed, and well-maintained patch.
- Temperatures of between 65 – 85 degrees Fahrenheit (18 – 29 degrees Celsius) are required for each plant to thrive
- Plant asparagus in a protected site with well-drained, weed-free soil with a ph of 6.5 – 7.5
- Avoid planting in heavy clay soils that could cause problems with drainage
- Don’t plant in soggy soil. The roots might rot if they stand in wet soil or water for too long.
- Don’t plant new asparagus crowns in an old bed – fresh ground is better for the new crowns and will protect them from diseases
Prepare the area properly first before you plant, and you will be rewarded with a beautiful harvest year after year!
How Much Sun Does Asparagus Need?
Although asparagus can tolerate afternoon shade, it will thrive and produce more robust plants in full sun. Make sure that the planting area receives at least 8 hours of full sun every day. Full sun will also help to minimize disease on the spears.
Asparagus will grow in dappled shade but should not be planted in the shadow of tall trees or shrubs. Only plant asparagus in the shade in warmer climates to protect it from the hot summer sun.
Which Hardiness Zone Is The Best For Asparagus?
Asparagus will grow well in most regions but will always produce better in cooler regions with longer colder winters. While asparagus will grow in warmer regions with milder winters, they will not be as robust. Longer, cooler dormancy periods produce healthier, stronger plants in the Spring.
Asparagus is a frost-tolerant perennial plant that can live for decades if the conditions are right. Check which variety is ideal for your conditions before planting.
Can You Grow Asparagus In Containers?
Containers are not the ideal growing space for asparagus as they generally require a more permanent growing space, usually in a large garden bed. You can grow asparagus in large, 16 gallons (72 liters) containers or patio bags if you don’t have much space, but only for a limited time.
Consider growing your container crop from crowns as seeds will take longer to develop. The best time to plant the asparagus crowns is during Spring or Fall. If left to grow in containers, asparagus will only produce a crop for about four years after the initial two-year establishment period.
Can You Grow Asparagus Inside Your Home?
Asparagus is a slow-growing plant and can not be compared to other kitchen-growing plants. So, if you will grow asparagus indoors, be aware that you might only benefit from all your hard work for a short while!
Asparagus plants will thrive indoors in a sunny window spot, developing spears at room temperature. Move your pots outdoors during the winter months as the plant requires a dormancy period.
If you are growing asparagus from seeds, start them indoors towards late February or early March. Seeds need a sunny window box with temperatures of 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius) for optimal growth. Only transplant the seedlings into the ground after the last frost is over.
Which Are The Best Companion Plants For Asparagus?
Knowing which plants will grow well with asparagus should influence where you will plant them. Some plants grow well together and are beneficial to each other when planted together, while others can be detrimental to the growth of both plants.
Never plant these alongside your asparagus:
- Potatoes and carrots. Potatoes, carrots, and asparagus have similar root systems – they all like to wander far and deep into the soil. They are competition for each other, and the growth of both plants could be stunted if there is not enough nourishment in the ground to sustain them both.
- Alliums. Commonly known as onions, garlic, and leeks. Alliums will stunt the growth of asparagus plants. Alliums take a long time to grow and use up many of the soil’s nutrients, making it more difficult for asparagus to absorb what it needs to grow well and thrive. You can happily grow these plants in your beds or containers, but plant them in entirely separate areas to your asparagus, and all the plants in your garden will thrive!
Asparagus is beneficial to other plants in your garden. Consult a companion planting chart while planning your garden layout. Make sure that you plant the correct companions alongside one another for the best growing conditions for all your plants.
Plant these plants in the same beds or containers as your asparagus:
- Marigolds and nasturtiums. These plants are great insect repellers and will keep bugs away from your asparagus
- Tomatoes and eggplant. These plants repel the asparagus beetles that eat the tender growing shoots and fronds of each asparagus plant.
- Parsley and basil. Attract pollinators to the garden and deter asparagus beetles.
- Coriander, dill, and comfrey. Great plants for repelling aphids and spider mites. They also attract birds that will eat beetles in the garden!
- Strawberries. A great companion for asparagus as they do not compete for nutrients in the soil. Make sure the strawberries are planted at least a level above the asparagus roots. Strawberries are great weed suppressors!
- Spinach and lettuce. Great growing companions, they don’t remain in the soil for too long, and they deter harmful insects!
Conclusion
Plant your asparagus in an accessible spot in your garden to ensure that you will have fresh, delicious, colorful asparagus spears growing, ready for the harvest, and fresh on your plate each year!
Growing asparagus spears are eye-catching, and they can become a much-talked-about feature in your garden while producing multiple harvests! All it takes is planning to produce a bountiful crop!
References
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/gardening/a20705621/how-to-grow-asparagus/
https://www.almanac.com/plant/asparagus
https://www.thompson-morgan.com/how-to-grow-asparagus
https://oldworldgardenfarms.com/2021/04/29/planting-asparagus/
https://www.gardeners.com/how-to/growing-asparagus/7343.html
https://www.epicgardening.com/asparagus-companion-plants/
https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-plant-and-grow-asparagus-1402814