Can You Grow Asparagus From Asparagus

You can grow asparagus from asparagus, but not in the way most people think.
 
You can’t just take a spear from the grocery store, stick it in the ground, and expect a harvest.
 
However, you can grow asparagus from asparagus crowns, which are the root systems of mature asparagus plants.
 
And yes, you can also grow asparagus from asparagus seeds, which come from the female plants after they flower.
 
So if you’ve been asking yourself, “Can you grow asparagus from asparagus?” the answer is a resounding yes, with a few important caveats.
 
In this post, we’ll explore exactly how you can grow asparagus from asparagus, whether you’re starting with crowns, seeds, or even trying to root a store-bought spear.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

Can You Grow Asparagus From Asparagus? Yes, Here’s How

You can grow asparagus from asparagus, and there are actually three main ways to do it.
 
Each method has its own timeline, difficulty level, and success rate.
 
Let’s break them down so you can pick the best approach for your garden.
 

1. Growing Asparagus From Crowns

The most common and reliable way to grow asparagus from asparagus is by planting crowns.
 
A crown is a one-year-old root system that you can buy from nurseries or garden centers.
 
You plant the crown in a trench, cover it with soil, and wait.
 
This method works because the crown already has energy stored up to send up spears.
 
You can grow asparagus from asparagus crowns and typically start harvesting lightly in the second or third year.
 
It’s the fastest route to a homegrown harvest.
 

2. Growing Asparagus From Seeds

You can also grow asparagus from asparagus seeds, though it takes more patience.
 
Seeds come from the red berries that female asparagus plants produce in late summer.
 
You can harvest those berries, extract the seeds, and plant them indoors or directly in the garden.
 
When you grow asparagus from asparagus seeds, you’re starting from scratch.
 
It can take three to four years before you get a single harvestable spear.
 
But it’s a rewarding way to grow asparagus from asparagus if you’re up for the wait.
 

3. Can You Grow Asparagus From a Store-Bought Spear?

Here’s where things get tricky.
 
You cannot grow asparagus from asparagus spears you buy at the grocery store.
 
Those spears are cut ends of the plant, and they don’t have the root system needed to grow.
 
Some people try to root them in water, but it rarely works.
 
So while you can grow asparagus from asparagus crowns and seeds, you can’t grow asparagus from asparagus spears.
 
That’s an important distinction to remember.
 

How to Grow Asparagus From Asparagus Crowns Step by Step

If you want to grow asparagus from asparagus crowns, here’s how to do it right.
 

1. Choose the Right Spot

Asparagus is a perennial, so pick a spot where it can live for 15 to 20 years.
 
It needs full sun and well-drained soil.
 
Don’t plant it where water pools, or the crowns will rot.
 

2. Prepare the Soil

Dig a trench about 12 inches wide and 6 to 8 inches deep.
 
Mix in plenty of compost or aged manure.
 
Asparagus is a heavy feeder, so rich soil is key when you grow asparagus from asparagus crowns.
 

3. Plant the Crowns

Set the crowns in the trench, spacing them 12 to 18 inches apart.
 
Spread the roots out like a spider.
 
Cover them with just a couple inches of soil at first.
 
As the spears grow, keep filling the trench until it’s level.
 

4. Water and Mulch

Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
 
Add a layer of mulch to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
 
This helps ensure your asparagus from asparagus crowns gets off to a strong start.
 

5. Be Patient

Don’t harvest the first year.
 
Let the spears grow into ferny stalks that feed the crown.
 
The second year, you can take a light harvest.
 
By year three, you can harvest for several weeks.
 
That’s the beauty of growing asparagus from asparagus crowns.
 

Tips for Growing Asparagus From Asparagus Seeds

If you decide to grow asparagus from asparagus seeds, here are a few tips.
 

1. Start Indoors

Sow seeds indoors 8 to 12 weeks before your last frost.
 
Use a seed-starting mix and keep it warm and moist.
 

2. Transplant Carefully

Once seedlings are a few inches tall, harden them off and transplant them outside.
 
Space them 12 to 18 inches apart.
 

3. Wait Longer

When you grow asparagus from asparagus seeds, expect to wait an extra year or two before harvesting.
 
It’s a long game, but it works.
 

So, Can You Grow Asparagus From Asparagus?

You can grow asparagus from asparagus crowns and seeds, but not from the spears you buy at the store.
 
The key is starting with the right part of the plant.
 
Crowns give you the fastest harvest, while seeds take patience.
 
Either way, you can absolutely grow asparagus from asparagus if you set up the right conditions.
 
Happy gardening.