Your Cool Home is supported by its readers. Please assume all links are affiliate links. If you purchase something from one of our links, we make a small commission from Amazon. Thank you!
Yes, you can relocate asparagus, and it’s actually one of those garden tasks that’s easier than most people think.
Whether you’re moving your asparagus crowns to a better spot or shifting them because you’re redesigning your garden, relocating asparagus is doable with a little patience and timing.
The key is knowing when and how to relocate asparagus so the plants survive the move and keep producing those tasty spears for years to come.
In this post, we’ll walk through why you might want to relocate asparagus, the best time to do it, the step-by-step process, and how to care for your transplanted asparagus afterward.
Let’s dig in.
Why You Might Relocate Asparagus
There are plenty of reasons a gardener decides to relocate asparagus, and none of them mean you’ve failed.
Sometimes the original spot just isn’t working anymore, and moving the plants is the smartest fix.
1. Poor Soil or Drainage
Asparagus loves well-drained soil, and if yours is sitting in water, the crowns can rot.
If you’ve noticed stunted growth or yellowing spears, poor drainage might be the culprit.
Relocating asparagus to a raised bed or a drier section of the garden can turn things around fast.
2. Too Much Shade
Asparagus needs full sun to thrive, and a spot that’s become shaded over the years will hurt production.
Trees grow, fences get built, and suddenly your asparagus patch is starved for light.
When that happens, you can relocate asparagus to a sunnier spot and watch it bounce back.
3. You’re Redesigning the Garden
Maybe you’re putting in a patio, expanding a flower bed, or just want a tidier layout.
Whatever the reason, you can relocate asparagus without losing the plants entirely.
It just takes a bit of planning to make the move successful.
When to Relocate Asparagus
Timing is everything when you relocate asparagus, and getting it wrong can set your plants back a full season.
The best window is during dormancy, when the plants are asleep and not actively growing.
1. Early Spring Before New Growth
Early spring, just before the spears poke through the soil, is the ideal time to relocate asparagus.
The crowns are still dormant, so the shock of moving is minimal.
You’ll want to dig them up as soon as the ground is workable but before you see any new spears emerging.
2. Late Fall After Foliage Dies Back
Late fall is another good window to relocate asparagus.
Once the ferny tops have turned brown and died back, the plant has stored energy in its crowns for winter.
Moving them now gives the roots time to settle before the ground freezes.
3. Avoid Moving During Active Growth
Never try to relocate asparagus in the middle of summer when it’s actively growing.
The plant is using all its energy to produce spears and foliage, and disturbing the roots then can weaken or kill it.
Stick to spring or fall, and you’ll have much better results.
How to Relocate Asparagus Step by Step
Now that you know when to relocate asparagus, let’s talk about how to actually do it.
The process isn’t complicated, but a little care goes a long way.
1. Prepare the New Bed First
Before you dig up anything, get the new planting site ready.
Asparagus wants loose, fertile soil with plenty of compost worked in.
Dig a trench about 8 to 10 inches deep and wide enough to spread the roots comfortably.
2. Dig Up the Crowns Carefully
Use a garden fork to loosen the soil around the crowns, starting about a foot away from the plant.
Work your way around and lift the whole root ball gently.
Try to keep as many roots intact as possible when you relocate asparagus.
3. Replant at the Right Depth
Set each crown in the trench with the roots spread out and the crown bud facing up.
Cover with just a couple of inches of soil at first, then fill in as the spears grow.
This gradual burying helps the plant establish without smothering it.
4. Water Thoroughly
Give the newly planted crowns a deep watering right after you relocate asparagus.
This settles the soil around the roots and removes air pockets.
Keep the bed consistently moist for the first few weeks.
Caring for Asparagus After You Relocate It
Once you relocate asparagus, the first year is all about helping it recover and rebuild.
Don’t expect a full harvest right away.
1. Skip Harvesting the First Year
After you relocate asparagus, let the spears grow into ferns without cutting them.
The foliage feeds the roots and helps the plant regain strength.
You can usually resume light harvesting the following spring.
2. Keep Weeds Away
Asparagus doesn’t compete well with weeds, especially after a move.
Mulch around the plants to suppress weeds and keep moisture levels steady.
Just don’t pile mulch right against the stems.
3. Fertilize Lightly
A light dose of balanced fertilizer in early spring helps relocated asparagus get going.
Avoid overfeeding, which can burn tender new roots.
Compost is often all you need for happy, healthy spears.
So, Can You Relocate Asparagus?
Yes, you can relocate asparagus, and with the right timing and a little care, your plants will settle into their new home just fine.
The best time to relocate asparagus is during dormancy in early spring or late fall.
Prepare the new bed, dig carefully, replant at the right depth, and water well.
Then be patient, skip the first harvest, and let the ferns rebuild the crowns.
Before you know it, you’ll be cutting fresh spears again from a patch you thought you’d lost.
Happy gardening!