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To store bare root asparagus, you need to keep the roots cool, dark, and slightly moist until you’re ready to plant them.
Bare root asparagus crowns are dormant, living plants, so they can survive out of the ground for a while if you store them properly.
If you’ve ever ordered bare root asparagus online or bought a bundle at a garden center, you know they can’t sit around drying out.
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to store bare root asparagus the right way, whether you’re waiting a few days or a few weeks before planting.
We’ll also cover the best conditions for storing bare root asparagus crowns, common mistakes to avoid, and how to tell if your asparagus roots have gone bad.
Let’s dig in.
Why You Need to Store Bare Root Asparagus Properly
Bare root asparagus is sold as dormant crowns with the soil shaken off, which means the roots are exposed and vulnerable.
If you leave bare root asparagus sitting in a hot garage or a dry shed, the roots will dry out fast.
And if you let them sit in a soggy bucket, they’ll rot just as quickly.
That’s why knowing how to store bare root asparagus correctly matters so much.
The goal is to keep the crowns alive and dormant, not growing and not decaying, until you can get them in the ground.
Here’s what that looks like in practice.
1. Keep the Roots Moist, Not Wet
The number one rule when you store bare root asparagus is to keep the roots slightly moist.
Not dripping wet, not bone dry, but somewhere in between like a wrung-out sponge.
If the roots dry out completely, the crowns will die before you ever plant them.
If they stay soaked, mold and rot will set in within days.
So aim for damp, never drenched, and you’ll be storing bare root asparagus the right way.
2. Keep Them Cool and Dark
Bare root asparagus crowns stay dormant in cool, dark conditions.
A temperature between 35°F and 40°F is ideal for storing bare root asparagus for more than a couple of days.
That’s why your refrigerator is actually one of the best places to store bare root asparagus.
Just keep them away from the light, because warmth and brightness can push the crowns to start sprouting too early.
Once bare root asparagus breaks dormancy, it needs soil, so early sprouting during storage is bad news.
3. Give Them Airflow
Even though you want moisture, you don’t want to seal bare root asparagus in an airtight plastic bag.
That traps too much humidity and invites mold.
Instead, wrap the roots in damp newspaper, peat moss, or sawdust and place them in a breathable container.
A cardboard box, a paper bag, or a perforated plastic bag all work well when you store bare root asparagus.
The idea is to let a little air move around the crowns without letting them dry out completely.
How to Store Bare Root Asparagus Short-Term vs Long-Term
How you store bare root asparagus depends on how long you need to keep them before planting.
Let’s break it down by timeframe.
Short-Term Storage (1 to 3 Days)
If you’re planting bare root asparagus within a few days, storage is simple.
Just wrap the roots in damp newspaper or a damp towel and set them in a cool, shaded spot.
You can also heel them into a temporary bed of moist soil or mulch outdoors if the weather is mild.
This keeps bare root asparagus alive and ready without any fuss.
Long-Term Storage (1 to 4 Weeks)
For longer storage, your fridge is the best friend of bare root asparagus.
Wrap the crowns in slightly damp peat moss or newspaper, place them in a paper bag, and store them in the crisper drawer.
Check on them every few days and re-dampen the packing material if it feels dry.
This method lets you store bare root asparagus for up to a month, as long as the roots stay cool and moist.
Heeling In for Extended Storage
If you need to store bare root asparagus for more than a month, heeling in is the way to go.
Dig a shallow trench, lay the crowns in it, and cover the roots with soil or compost.
Water lightly and let them wait there until you’re ready to plant them in their permanent spot.
This mimics natural conditions and keeps bare root asparagus healthy for weeks or even months.
Common Mistakes When You Store Bare Root Asparagus
Even gardeners who know the basics sometimes slip up when they store bare root asparagus.
Here are the mistakes to watch for.
1. Letting the Roots Dry Out
This is the most common way people accidentally kill bare root asparagus.
An hour in direct sun or a day in a warm car can dry the roots beyond saving.
Always keep bare root asparagus wrapped and damp from the moment you get them.
2. Storing Them Too Wet
On the flip side, soaking bare root asparagus in water for days will cause rot.
Damp is the goal, never submerged.
If you notice a sour smell or mushy roots, your bare root asparagus has likely rotted.
3. Leaving Them in the Heat
Warm temperatures push bare root asparagus out of dormancy too early.
Once that happens, the crowns use up their stored energy and may not survive to planting day.
Keep them cool, and you’ll keep them viable.
So, How Do You Store Bare Root Asparagus?
You store bare root asparagus by keeping the roots cool, dark, and slightly moist until planting time.
Whether you’re waiting a few days or a few weeks, wrapping the crowns in damp newspaper or peat moss and tucking them into a cool spot or your fridge keeps them alive and dormant.
Avoid drying them out, avoid soaking them, and avoid warmth, and your bare root asparagus will be ready to thrive the moment you plant it.
Get it right, and you’ll be harvesting spears for decades.