How to Grow Asparagus

Growing asparagus, even simply in a pot, isn't complicated, but it does require the right soil and exposure. This plant, if properly cultivated, will give you great satisfaction, thanks in part to its extraordinary longevity: it can produce for 15-20 years.

Index of topics

Exposure and climate

The sun plays a fundamental role in growing asparagus, as these require bright areas and a temperate climate. Avoid excessively shaded areas, as this will reduce the production of tender shoots and delay harvesting. In more temperate climates, however, some shade during the hottest hours of the day can help prevent water stress and sunburn on the shoots. The ideal temperature is 15-25 degrees Celsius for shoots and 20-25 degrees Celsius for vegetative growth.

The terrain

Asparagus prefers sandy or light, well-drained soil with a pH between 6 and 7. Avoid clayey or overly compacted soils that promote waterlogging. Dig the soil to a depth of about 40 cm, removing stones and weed roots. Add mature manure or well-rotted compost to enrich the soil. Important: Asparagus should be grown in a Plot where beans, carrots, alfalfa, beetroot and potatoes have not previously been planted, as this would risk causing an infection called “rhizoctonysis”.

How to plant them

Asparagus is generally planted from roots, which are purchased as seedlings called "crowns." The roots should be arranged so that they branch out in all directions within the hole. The top of the roots should be about 5-7 centimeters below ground level. After planting the roots, cover with soil and water thoroughly.

You can start from sow or from rhizomes (corms).

Cormelli are quicker: harvesting begins after 2–3 years.
Seeds take longer (3–4 years) to produce.

When they are collected

After the first year of growing, don't harvest the asparagus to give the plants time to develop and strengthen, but simply let them grow and become strong. Watch out for weeds, as they can choke out young asparagus plants. In any case, the best time to harvest asparagus is in spring, generally between March and June, when the shoots emerge from the soil and reach an appropriate length, usually between 15 and 20 centimeters. It's important not to harvest the shoots too early, as the plants need energy to grow and develop during the following seasons.

Watering and pruning

Asparagus requires a good amount of water, but the soil must be well-drained to avoid waterlogging, which can cause root rot. After the growing season, let the asparagus stalks turn yellow and dry naturally, so the plant can focus its energy on the roots for the following year.

Diseases and remedies

Asparagus can have various types of diseases which can undermine the plant's normal growth. Let's look at the most common ones.

One of the most recent diseases is the puccinia fungus, which attacks the entire plant, especially in late summer. It appears with yellow spots and characteristic reddish powdery pustules that resemble rust. In autumn, the fungus develops organelles that allow it to survive through the winter.
The “bad wine” attacks the rootsThe rhizomes and shoots appear with yellow spots, a wine-red felt coating, and a network of spherical bodies. The plant eventually turns yellow and dries out, while the infected parts disintegrate. This fungus thrives in humid environments, so as soon as you notice it, you should uproot the asparagus immediately and never replant it in the same location.
Fusarium wilt causes asparagus to yellow and die, attacking the roots, which rot. It causes brown/orange spots and redness at the base of the plant and in the internal vascular bundles. Soil drainage helps eliminate this disease.
When shoots exhibit longitudinal striations, it means they are affected by a physiopathy, a non-parasitic alteration caused by friction between grains of sand in the soil in which they are planted. The fusarium fungus can enter these wounds.
The fungus “phytophtora megasperma” rots the base of the plant stem and roots and causes the leaves to dry out.
The “grey mould” attacks the shoots and is favoured by thehumidityIt causes necrosis of the parts it affects.
If asparagus is affected by a viral disease, it may exhibit abnormal growth. Viruses can cause dwarfism, deformation, yellowing of the shoots or stem, curling of the tips, or wrinkling.

Winning tricks for growing asparagus