How To Plant Asparagus Starters

You can plant asparagus starters in early spring as soon as the soil is workable and the danger of frost has passed.
 
Planting asparagus starters is one of the smartest ways to jumpstart your harvest because you skip the slow seed stage entirely.
 
These little crowns or young plants are already a year or two old, so they’re eager to grow.
 
And the best part?
 
Once you get the hang of how to plant asparagus starters, you’ll have a patch that produces for 15 to 20 years or more.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to plant asparagus starters step by step, where to put them, and how to care for them so they thrive.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

How to Plant Asparagus Starters Step by Step

Knowing how to plant asparagus starters properly makes all the difference between a weak patch and a vigorous one.
 
Here’s the process broken down into simple moves.
 

1. Choose the Right Spot with Full Sun

Asparagus starters need at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day.
 
Pick a spot that drains well, because soggy roots rot fast.
 
If your soil holds water, build a raised bed or amend it with compost before you plant asparagus starters.
 
Also, keep in mind that this bed is permanent, so don’t tuck it behind a shed you plan to move.
 

2. Prepare the Soil Deeply

Before you plant asparagus starters, loosen the soil at least 12 to 15 inches down.
 
Mix in plenty of aged manure or compost.
 
Asparagus is a heavy feeder, so rich soil gives your starters a strong start.
 
A soil pH between 6.5 and 7.5 is ideal.
 
If you’re unsure, a quick soil test takes the guesswork out of planting asparagus starters.
 

3. Dig Trenches About 6 to 8 Inches Deep

When you plant asparagus starters, dig trenches roughly 6 to 8 inches deep and 12 to 18 inches wide.
 
Space the rows about 3 to 4 feet apart.
 
Inside each trench, build a small mound of soil every 12 to 18 inches.
 
These mounds are where you’ll set each crown.
 

4. Set the Crowns and Spread the Roots

This is the heart of how to plant asparagus starters.
 
Place each crown on top of a mound so the roots drape down the sides like a little umbrella.
 
The crown’s bud should sit about 2 inches below the soil surface.
 
If the roots are long, trim them slightly, but never let them dry out while you work.
 

5. Cover Gradually as Shoots Emerge

Once your asparagus starters are in place, cover them with just 2 inches of soil at first.
 
As new shoots poke through, add another inch or two.
 
Keep filling the trench until it’s level with the surrounding ground.
 
This gradual covering is a key trick when you plant asparagus starters because it protects tender spears.
 

6. Water Deeply and Mulch

Right after you plant asparagus starters, give them a deep, gentle soak.
 
Then spread 2 to 3 inches of straw or composted leaves around the bed.
 
Mulch keeps moisture in and weeds out.
 
Weeds are the enemy of young asparagus, so stay on top of them.
 

Best Time and Conditions to Plant Asparagus Starters

Timing matters when you plant asparagus starters.
 
Early spring is the sweet spot in most regions.
 
You want soil that’s workable but still cool, around 50°F or so.
 
Planting asparagus starters in fall can work in mild climates, but spring gives roots more time to settle.
 
Avoid planting in soggy soil, because crowns rot quickly.
 
Also, don’t rush if a late frost is forecast.
 
Asparagus is hardy, but new starters appreciate a gentle start.
 

Caring for Asparagus Starters After Planting

Once you plant asparagus starters, the first year is all about building roots, not harvesting.
 
Resist the urge to cut spears in year one.
 
Let the ferns grow tall and bushy so they feed the crown.
 
Water weekly during dry spells.
 
Feed with a balanced fertilizer in early spring and again after harvest.
 
In late fall, cut the dead ferns down to about 2 inches.
 
This keeps pests and disease at bay.
 
By year three, you can harvest lightly, and after that, you can pick spears for six to eight weeks each spring.
 
That’s the payoff for learning how to plant asparagus starters the right way.
 

So, How Do You Plant Asparagus Starters?

You plant asparagus starters by digging deep trenches, setting crowns on mounds, covering them gradually, and keeping the bed moist and weed-free.
 
It’s a bit of work up front, but planting asparagus starters rewards you with decades of fresh spears.
 
Pick a sunny spot, enrich the soil, and be patient during that first year.
 
Once your patch is established, you’ll wonder why you didn’t plant asparagus starters sooner.
 
Happy gardening.