Choosing the Right Spot for Asparagus
Asparagus prefers light, well-draining soil, as the spears need to push easily through the soil surface. If you’re planting asparagus in a permanent spot, it’s important to think long-term—these plants can live for decades. A raised bed can be ideal, especially for gardeners with heavy or clay soil. The depth of the bed should allow enough space for the roots to spread and thrive.
Soil Preparation
Before planting your asparagus crowns, prepare the soil properly to ensure healthy growth:
- Depth: Dig the soil to the depth of a spade.
- Amendments: Incorporate liberal amounts of compost to improve soil structure and fertility. If your soil is acidic, a light dressing of garden lime will help to raise the pH to neutral, which asparagus prefers.
- Fertiliser: Apply a general garden fertiliser to provide balanced nutrition.
Planting the Crowns
Asparagus crowns should be planted 15–20 cm deep in a trench. Space the crowns 30–50 cm apart to allow for their mature size. Here’s how to plant:
- Create the trench: Dig a trench to 15-20cm deep, enough to plant your crowns comfortably.
- Place the crowns: Position the crowns at the bottom of the trench.
- Cover with soil: Fill 5 cm of soil in the trench. As the plants grow, you can continue to fill in the trench until the asparagus spears break through the soil surface.
Care and Maintenance
- Watering: To support strong root and top growth, keep the soil moist, especially during the growing season.
- Fertilising: To promote lush growth, apply a high-nitrogen fertiliser, such as Oderings Garden Replenish, during the summer months.
- Winter Care: Cut down the dry yellow fern to ground level in winter. Then, mulch deeply to protect the crowns from the cold. Apply fertiliser again in spring to encourage early spear growth.
Harvesting Your Asparagus
Asparagus plants need time to establish, so don’t harvest spears during the first year. The number of spears will increase yearly, with full production occurring after 4–5 years of growth. However, you can start harvesting in the second year:
- Harvest time: In New Zealand, asparagus spears generally begin to appear around August or September, depending on your location.
- Frequency: Harvest every day or two to ensure you get the best quality spears.
- Duration: Continue harvesting for 8–10 weeks before allowing the plant to rest and store energy for the next season.
Planting asparagus is an investment in time and space, but it will reward you with years of delicious spears once established. With proper care and patience, you’ll enjoy fresh, home-grown asparagus year after year, making it a perfect addition to any garden.
