How To Plant Wild Asparagus

You can plant wild asparagus by collecting ripe seeds from wild plants or by digging up and transplanting young crowns in early spring.
 
Wild asparagus is the same species as the garden asparagus you buy at the store, just a hardier, more self-sufficient version that pops up along roadsides and field edges.
 
If you’ve ever foraged wild asparagus and wondered how to plant wild asparagus at home, the good news is that it’s totally doable once you understand its growing habits.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to plant wild asparagus from seed, how to plant wild asparagus from crowns, and the best conditions that keep wild asparagus thriving year after year.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

How to Plant Wild Asparagus: The Basics

When you learn how to plant wild asparagus, the first thing to know is that it’s a long-term commitment.
 
Wild asparagus is a perennial that can live and produce for 15 to 20 years or more, so picking the right spot matters.
 
Here’s what you need to get right:
 

1. Choosing the Right Spot

Wild asparagus loves full sun, so pick a spot that gets at least six to eight hours of direct light daily.
 
It also needs well-drained soil, because soggy roots are the quickest way to kill wild asparagus plants.
 
If your soil is heavy clay, amend it with compost or plant on a raised bed so water never sits around the crowns.
 

2. Timing Your Planting

The best time to plant wild asparagus is in early spring, once the soil has warmed enough to work.
 
Planting wild asparagus in spring gives the crowns time to settle in before the heat of summer.
 
You can also plant in fall in mild climates, but spring is the safest bet for most growers.
 

3. Preparing the Soil

Before you plant wild asparagus, dig a trench about 12 inches deep and work in plenty of compost.
 
Wild asparagus is a heavy feeder, so rich, organic soil gives it the best start.
 
Mix in a little bone meal or rock phosphate too, since asparagus roots love phosphorus.
 

How to Plant Wild Asparagus from Seed

Learning how to plant wild asparagus from seed takes patience, but it’s the cheapest way to start.
 
Here’s how to plant wild asparagus seed successfully:
 

1. Collect or Buy Fresh Seed

Wild asparagus seeds come from the red berries that appear on female plants in late summer.
 
Pick the berries when they’re bright red, then soak them and squeeze out the seeds.
 
Fresh seed germinates best, so plant it within a few weeks if you can.
 

2. Start Seeds Indoors

You can plant wild asparagus seeds indoors about 8 to 10 weeks before your last frost.
 
Sow them about a quarter inch deep in moist seed-starting mix and keep the trays warm.
 
Wild asparagus seeds germinate in two to three weeks when the soil stays around 70°F.
 

3. Transplant the Seedlings

Once your seedlings have a few feathery stems, harden them off and plant them into the garden.
 
Space wild asparagus seedlings about 18 inches apart in rows three feet apart.
 
Water them well and keep the rows mulched to hold moisture and smother weeds.
 

How to Plant Wild Asparagus from Crowns

If you want a head start, plant wild asparagus from crowns instead of seed.
 
Here’s how to plant wild asparagus crowns the right way:
 

1. Dig a Proper Trench

Dig a trench about 12 inches wide and 8 inches deep for your wild asparagus crowns.
 
Set the crowns in the bottom, spacing them 18 inches apart with the buds facing up.
 

2. Cover Gradually

Cover the crowns with just two inches of soil at first, then fill the trench as the spears grow.
 
This gradual covering is how you plant wild asparagus so the roots stay cool and moist.
 

3. Water and Mulch

Give your wild asparagus a good soak after planting, then add a layer of mulch.
 
Mulch keeps weeds down and helps the soil hold moisture through hot spells.
 

Caring for Wild Asparagus After Planting

Once your wild asparagus is in the ground, a little care goes a long way.
 

1. Be Patient with Harvesting

Don’t harvest wild asparagus the first year, and only lightly the second.
 
Let the plants build strong roots, then take full spears from the third season on.
 

2. Keep It Weeded and Watered

Wild asparagus hates competition, so keep the bed clean and water during dry spells.
 
A deep soak once a week beats frequent light sprinkling every time.
 

3. Fertilize Each Spring

Feed your wild asparagus with compost or a balanced fertilizer each spring before growth starts.
 
Healthy wild asparagus plants reward you with thicker spears and bigger harvests.
 

So, How Do You Plant Wild Asparagus?

You plant wild asparagus by choosing a sunny, well-drained spot and setting out seeds or crowns in early spring.
 
Whether you plant wild asparagus from seed or from crowns, the keys are rich soil, steady moisture, and patience.
 
Give your wild asparagus a few years to establish, and you’ll be harvesting your own free spears for decades.
 
Hope this post has helped you with learning how to plant wild asparagus and the best ways to get it growing.