When is the optimal time to plant asparagus?

Asparagus planted at the right time puts on its strength for good future growth and root development. As a general rule, these plants are set out in the spring, unless in very warm states, the autumn sets the time. But wait until the ground has warmed enough, say 50 degrees F., to cause the crowns to start growing. I always take a soil thermometer and check the temperature before commencing to dig my trenches.

If you plant in the spring, your spears will be more frost-hardy when they start emerging from the ground. Furthermore, you want to ensure that daytime temperatures are consistently above 45°F. In colder climates, such as zones 3 to 5, wait about four weeks after the last frost. Meanwhile, southern gardeners in the safe zone of 8 to 9 can start planting in October or November.

Fall planting gives the crowns a head start, allowing them to settle in before they become dormant for the winter. Try to find fairly mature 1- or 2-year-old crowns. If growing conditions allow, plant about six weeks before the first expected frost. Mulch the bed with 6 inches of straw to protect the crowns through the winter. Your plants will have a head start when they begin growing in the spring.

The exact time to plant your asparagus bed is also largely dependent upon its location. Where the sun shines the most, especially on a south-facing slope, spring planting may be begun a little earlier, but not in a dry hollow where the frost lingers. I always map out the sun at different periods, and the site of your proposed bed should be chosen only after this is done. The right explanation on site means the frost danger is significantly reduced.

Be alert to weather forecasts around planting time. Should a late frost threaten, be prepared with row covers to protect the tender transplants. If heavy spring rains have kept the soil too wet, be ready to wait until the ground dries. I've always got my materials on hand for sudden weather changes; being too set in one's ways means losing crowns to unexpected disasters.

Keep records each season of when you plant and your observations thereafter. Make note of soil temperatures, weather patterns, and the response of your crowns. Doing so will help you determine the optimum planting dates. My journals indicate that the optimum dates for my area shift by one to two weeks from year to year. Tracking will help you create your own personal planting atlas.

Read the full article: When to Plant Asparagus: Essential Growing Guide