How To Plant Purple Asparagus

Planting purple asparagus is a rewarding gardening project that gives you years of delicious, vibrant harvests once established.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to plant purple asparagus, you’re in the right place because it’s not much different from planting the green variety, with just a few colorful quirks to keep in mind.
 
Purple asparagus produces sweeter, more tender spears than green asparagus, and its deep violet hue makes it a stunning addition to any garden bed.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to plant purple asparagus step by step, from choosing the right crowns to caring for your bed so it thrives for decades.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

How to Plant Purple Asparagus: The Basics

Learning how to plant purple asparagus starts with understanding that this perennial veggie is a long-term commitment.
 
Unlike most vegetables you replant every year, purple asparagus comes back season after season for 15 to 20 years when planted correctly.
 
That’s why getting the planting process right the first time matters so much.
 
Here’s what you need to know before you plant purple asparagus in your garden.
 

1. Start With Crowns, Not Seeds

When you plant purple asparagus, always start with one-year-old crowns rather than seeds.
 
Crowns are dormant root systems that establish faster and give you a harvest a year or two sooner.
 
Seeds can take an extra year just to reach the size of a decent crown.
 
So if your goal is how to plant purple asparagus for a quicker harvest, crowns are the way to go.
 

2. Pick the Right Spot With Full Sun

Purple asparagus needs at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day.
 
A sunny spot with well-draining soil is ideal because soggy roots rot quickly.
 
If your soil stays wet after rain, amend it with compost before you plant purple asparagus.
 
Good drainage is non-negotiable for healthy spears.
 

3. Prepare the Soil Deeply

Asparagus roots grow deep, so loosen the soil at least 12 to 15 inches down before you plant purple asparagus.
 
Mix in plenty of aged manure or compost to feed those hungry roots.
 
The soil pH should sit between 6.5 and 7.5 for the best results.
 
A little prep work now pays off every spring for years.
 

Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Purple Asparagus

Now that the groundwork is clear, here’s exactly how to plant purple asparagus crowns the right way.
 

1. Dig a Trench About 12 Inches Deep

Dig a trench roughly 12 inches deep and 12 inches wide for each row.
 
Space your rows about three to four feet apart so the ferns have room to spread.
 
This gives the roots plenty of space to grow when you plant purple asparagus.
 

2. Build a Small Mound in the Trench

Form a mound of loose soil at the bottom of the trench.
 
Set each crown on top of the mound and drape the roots down the sides like a little umbrella.
 
This positioning encourages the roots to grow outward rather than bunch up when you plant purple asparagus.
 

3. Space Crowns 12 to 18 Inches Apart

Give each crown 12 to 18 inches of breathing room.
 
Crowded crowns compete for nutrients and produce thinner spears.
 
So when you plant purple asparagus, resist the urge to squeeze in extra crowns.
 

4. Cover With Two Inches of Soil

Backfill just two inches of soil over the crowns at first.
 
As shoots emerge over the following weeks, keep adding soil until the trench is filled.
 
This gradual covering method is the secret to how to plant purple asparagus successfully.
 

5. Water Deeply After Planting

Give the bed a thorough soaking right after you plant purple asparagus.
 
Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged during that first season.
 
Deep watering encourages deep roots, which means stronger plants.
 

Caring for Purple Asparagus After Planting

Once your crowns are in the ground, knowing how to plant purple asparagus shifts into knowing how to care for it.
 

1. Wait Two Years Before Harvesting

Resist harvesting anything the first year, and pick only lightly the second.
 
Your patience lets the crowns build energy for decades of production.
 
By the third spring, you can harvest fully when you plant purple asparagus.
 

2. Mulch and Feed Regularly

Spread a layer of mulch to smother weeds and hold moisture.
 
Top-dress with compost each fall to keep the soil rich.
 
Happy crowns produce sweeter, more abundant spears when you plant purple asparagus with care.
 

3. Cut Ferns Back in Late Fall

Let the ferny tops grow all summer to feed the roots.
 
Once they turn brown in autumn, cut them down to about two inches.
 
This simple cleanup keeps pests away from the bed where you plant purple asparagus.
 

4. Harvest When Spears Are 6 to 8 Inches Tall

Snap or cut spears at the base when they reach six to eight inches.
 
Purple spears turn green when cooked, but their flavor stays sweeter than green varieties.
 
That sweetness alone makes it worth learning how to plant purple asparagus.
 

So, How to Plant Purple Asparagus?

Planting purple asparagus is simple when you start with crowns, choose a sunny spot, and dig a deep trench with rich, well-draining soil.
 
Set the crowns on mounds, cover them gradually, water deeply, and wait patiently for two years before your first real harvest.
 
Once established, a bed of purple asparagus rewards you with sweet, tender spears every spring for close to two decades.
 
Now that you know how to plant purple asparagus, grab some crowns and give this beautiful perennial a home in your garden.