Welcome to your Asparagus Bare-Root Care Guide! This guide will cover all you need to know about planting, storing, and caring for your dormant asparagus crowns. Asparagus crowns should be removed from their packaging and cared for immediately upon arrival to ensure they remain hydrated and healthy. Whether you’re planting right away or need to store them temporarily, these instructions will help you establish a strong, productive asparagus bed.
Planting
Soil Preparation: Asparagus thrives in deeply cultivated, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Work compost or aged manure into the soil to help establish strong roots.
Planting Depth: Plant crowns in trenches 6-8 inches deep to support their long-term growth.
Planting in Garden Beds or Raised Beds
Spacing: Space crowns 12-18 inches apart in rows, with 3-4 feet between rows.
Place each crown on a mound with roots spread out, ensuring the crown is about 2 inches below soil level.
Cover the crowns with 2 inches of soil initially; as shoots grow, gradually fill in the trench until it’s level with the ground.
Water thoroughly to help soil settle around the roots.
Temporary Storage Tips
Cool Storage: Store bare-root crowns in a cool, dark place, like a basement or garage, until planting is possible.
Moisture Maintenance: Wrap the roots in slightly damp paper towels or sphagnum moss, then place them in a breathable plastic bag (with ventilation holes). Check every few days to ensure roots stay slightly damp.
Extended Delays: If storing for more than a week, “heel in” the crowns temporarily by placing them in a container filled with moist potting soil until outdoor planting is possible.
Basic Care & harvesting
- Sunlight: Asparagus requires full sun (6-8 hours daily) to produce high yields and strong, healthy spears.
- Watering: Water consistently, especially in the first couple of years, keeping soil moist but not waterlogged.
- Fertilizing: Use a balanced fertilizer at planting and then annually in early spring for continued growth and production.
- Mulching: Apply a thick layer of mulch to suppress weeds, retain soil moisture, and regulate soil temperature.
Harvesting Tips
- Timing: Begin harvesting in the second year for two-year crowns or the third year for younger crowns. Harvest season typically runs for 4-6 weeks in spring.
- How to Harvest: Harvest spears when they reach 6-8 inches in height by cutting or snapping them at the soil level. Avoid overharvesting in early years to let plants establish.