Perennial Vegetable

When to Plant Asparagus

A perennial that produces for 20+ years once established. Plant crowns in spring for harvest beginning in year 3.

Sun

Full sun (8+ hours)

Water

1-2 inches per week

Days to Harvest

730

Difficulty

intermediate

Spacing

18"

Frost Tolerance

high

The Short Answer

Asparagus are cold-tolerant and actually prefer cooler growing conditions. Enter your zip code on our homepage tool for exact dates.

How to Grow Asparagus

Asparagus is the longest-term commitment in the vegetable garden — a well-maintained bed produces for 20-30 years, but you must wait 2-3 years for the first real harvest. Plant year-old crowns (not seeds) in a trench 6-8 inches deep, spreading the octopus-like roots over a mound of soil. Don't harvest anything in year one or two; let the ferny tops photosynthesize to build root energy. In year three, harvest spears for 2-3 weeks; by year four, harvest for 6-8 weeks. Stop harvesting when new spears emerge thinner than a pencil — that's the plant's signal that it needs to store energy for next year.

Transplanting

Move seedlings outside 0 weeks after your last frost date, once soil temperatures reach 50°F.

Growing Tips

Plant crowns, not seeds, for faster establishment. Don't harvest the first two years — let ferns grow to build root energy. A 20-foot row feeds a family of four.

Companion Planting

Good companions:

Tomatoes Basil Parsley

Keep away from:

Garlic Onions

Asparagus Planting Dates by State

Click your state for asparagus planting dates specific to your location:

Note: Planting dates are based on average frost dates from NOAA Climate Normals (30-year averages). Actual conditions vary year to year. Always check your local forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026