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!
The best time to dig up asparagus crowns is in early spring before new growth emerges, or in late fall after the fern has died back.
If you’ve been wondering when to dig up asparagus crowns, the answer really depends on what you’re trying to accomplish in your garden.
Maybe you’re moving them to a better spot, dividing an overcrowded bed, or sharing crowns with a neighbor.
Whatever the reason, knowing when to dig up asparagus crowns can mean the difference between healthy transplants and a failed harvest.
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly when to dig up asparagus crowns, how to do it without damaging them, and a few mistakes to avoid along the way.
Let’s dig in.
When to Dig Up Asparagus Crowns
Knowing when to dig up asparagus crowns comes down to two ideal windows.
1. Early Spring Before Growth Starts
The best window for digging up asparagus crowns is early spring, right before the spears push through the soil.
At this stage, the crowns are still dormant, which means they’re less likely to go into shock when you move them.
You’ll want to dig up asparagus crowns as soon as the ground is workable but before you see any purple tips poking up.
If you wait too long and spears start emerging, digging up asparagus crowns becomes riskier because you’ll disturb active growth.
2. Late Fall After Ferns Die Back
The second-best time to dig up asparagus crowns is late fall, once the fern has turned brown and died back.
By then, the plant has stored energy in the crown for winter, so moving it causes minimal stress.
Just make sure you dig up asparagus crowns before the ground freezes solid.
Frozen soil makes the job nearly impossible and can shatter the crowns if you force it.
How to Dig Up Asparagus Crowns Without Damaging Them
Once you know when to dig up asparagus crowns, the next step is doing it gently.
1. Water the Bed a Day Before
Softening the soil makes it easier to lift the crowns without snapping the roots.
2. Dig Wide, Not Deep
Start about a foot away from the row and dig down carefully with a spading fork.
Asparagus roots spread wide, so cutting too close will slice through them.
3. Lift, Don’t Pull
Slide your fork under the crown and lift it gently.
Pulling on the fern can tear the crown apart.
4. Shake Off the Soil
Once lifted, shake loose dirt from the roots and inspect the crown for damage.
Mistakes to Avoid When You Dig Up Asparagus Crowns
Even experienced gardeners mess up when they dig up asparagus crowns.
1. Digging During Active Growth
Avoid digging up asparagus crowns in summer when the fern is fully leafed out.
The plant is busy making food for next year’s harvest, and disturbing it sets it back.
2. Replanting Too Shallow
When you dig up asparagus crowns and replant them, bury them about six inches deep.
Shallow planting leads to thin spears and poor production.
3. Skipping the Rest Period
After you dig up asparagus crowns, give the new bed a year to establish before harvesting.
Patience now means decades of harvests later.
So, When to Dig Up Asparagus Crowns?
The best time to dig up asparagus crowns is early spring before growth starts, or late fall after the fern dies back.
If you’ve been asking when to dig up asparagus crowns, just remember that timing protects the crown’s energy reserves.
Dig them gently, replant them deep, and give them time to settle in.
Do that, and your asparagus bed will reward you for years to come.