You just received your asparagus in the mail. Planting asparagus crowns is simple and leads to a long-lasting, rewarding gardening venture! Asparagus is a perennial vegetable that offers delicious harvests year after year once properly established. Growing your own asparagus at home starts with planting asparagus crowns, also known as asparagus roots, and with the right care, these plants can produce for 15-20 years. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to plant asparagus crowns, how deep to plant asparagus roots, the stages of growing asparagus, and more.

What Are Asparagus Crowns?

Before getting into the steps of planting asparagus crowns, it’s important to understand what crowns are. Asparagus crowns and asparagus roots are interchangeable terms referring to the same thing.

Asparagus crowns are the dormant root systems of often, one or two-year-old asparagus plants. Crowns contain roots, buds, and sometimes stems ready to develop into productive plants. They’re sold as bare-root plants, meaning they’re dug up and shipped without soil. Planting asparagus crowns gives you a head start over planting from seed, drastically reducing the time it takes to see your first harvest. 

How to Plant Asparagus Crowns and Roots: Step-by-Step Instructions

Whether you call them asparagus crowns or roots, the planting process is the same. Here’s how to plant asparagus roots and crowns to ensure a strong and healthy asparagus bed.

1. Choose the Right Location

Asparagus is a long-term investment, so selecting the right spot for your asparagus bed is critical. Choose a sunny location where the plants will receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Asparagus plants need well-drained soil with a slightly alkaline pH (6.5 to 7.5). Avoid low-lying areas that may hold water, as asparagus roots are prone to rot in soggy soil.

2. Prepare the Soil

Before planting asparagus crowns, prepare the soil by enriching it with organic matter. Asparagus has deep roots that need loose, well-drained soil. Start by loosening the soil to a depth of 12-18 inches. Work in plenty of compost, aged manure, or other organic material to improve drainage and fertility. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer can also be added to the soil before planting.

3. How Deep to Plant Asparagus Crowns

One of the most important factors in planting asparagus crowns is getting the depth right. This allows the roots to grow deep into the soil, giving the plants stability and access to water and nutrients.

Crowns should be planted in a trench that’s anywhere from 10-12 inches deep. If you have more compact or clay based soil, a shallower planting depth is recommended. If you have loose, well draining soil and/or sandy soil, deeper planting is recommended. In colder climates, planting crowns at the deeper end of this range helps protect them from winter damage as well.

4. Planting Asparagus Crowns

Starting In Fall

1.) Mix 30% sand + 70% soil. It has to be a very sandy loam soil.

2.) Soak roots for 30-minutes.

3.) Plant crowns 12" deep, lay flat, and bury completely. No layering technique.

4.) Space

• Green Asparagus: 12" apart
• Purple Asparagus: 8" apart.

5.) Rows should be 2' apart.

6.) Water throughly if soil is warm.

• Above 55°F: they will grow.
• Below 50°F: they will stay dormant. DO NOT WATER!

7.) Cover with mulch.

8.) In raised beds, plant 12" from the side of the container.

Starting In Spring & Summer

1.) Mix 30% sand + 70% soil and hydrate soil before planting.

2.) Soak roots for 30-minutes.

3.) Plant crowns 12" deep, lay flat, bury completely and water. No layering technique.

4.) Space

• Green Asparagus: 12" apart
• Purple Asparagus: 8" apart.

5.) Rows should be 2' apart.

6.) Sprouting takes 2–3 weeks.

5. Watering and Mulching Asparagus Plants

Watering is usually the biggest killer of an asparagus plant. Most over water and water during the wrong time. After planting asparagus crowns, water them thoroughly to settle the soil and help the roots establish. Remember, these are 12" deep and will get moisture from surrounding area. You will water every 3 to 5 days unless it rains.  If it rains heavy you will probably not have to water for 5 days. Mulching around the plants with straw, leaves, or other organic material can help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. 

Raised beds watering will be more frequent. Also when putting in a raised bed keep them 12" away from the sides. They will freeze if they are close the the side of the bed. 

Stages of Growing Asparagus

Growing asparagus is a long-term process that requires patience, especially in the first few years. Understanding the stages of growing asparagus will help you manage expectations and care for your plants effectively.

*Please bear in mind that asparagus crowns are already 1-year-old at least. In some cases, they are two-years-old if specified by the seller.

Year 1: Establishment

During the first year, asparagus plants focus on developing strong roots rather than producing spears. You’ll see thin, fern-like foliage, which is vital for capturing sunlight and promoting root growth. Do not harvest any spears during this year, as allowing the plant to grow fully will ensure a stronger crop in the future.

Year 2: Light Harvest

In the second year, your asparagus plants may produce a few thicker spears. You can harvest lightly for a short period (about 2 weeks in the spring), but the focus should still be on building the plant’s strength. After harvesting, allow the remaining spears to grow into ferns to support the root system.

Year 3: Full Harvest

By the third year, your asparagus plants will be ready for a full harvest. You can harvest spears for 4-6 weeks in the spring. Cut the spears when they’re 6-8 inches tall and about as thick as a pencil. After the harvest period, allow the remaining spears to grow into ferns. These ferns will nourish the plant and prepare it for next year’s growth.

Year 4 and Beyond: Continued Production

Once established, your asparagus plants will continue to produce spears each spring for up to 15-20 years or more. A healthy, well-maintained asparagus bed can provide a reliable source of fresh asparagus for many seasons to come.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Planting Asparagus Crowns

1. Planting Too Shallow: Asparagus crowns planted too close to the surface may dry out and fail to establish strong roots. Always plant them a minimum of 10" deep inches deep.
2. Harvesting Too Soon: Patience is key with asparagus. Harvesting spears in the first year weakens the plant and may result in reduced production in future years.
3. Overwatering: While asparagus prefers consistent moisture, it doesn’t like to sit in waterlogged soil. Be sure to plant in well-draining soil above and avoid overwatering.
4. Cold Temperatures: This is not a mistake, as asparagus roots are incredibly winter hardy. However, sometimes gardeners think they’re asparagus plants are dead when really, the soil temperature is keeping them dormant for a while longer. Soil temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit is the tipping point for asparagus to start growing. If you’re in this range or below it, be patient and soon enough, as temperatures rise, you will see your asparagus plants emerge and grow!

Conclusion

Here are some essential steps to get you started right:

• Important: Light surface mold on the roots is completely normal and harmless; simply rinse off the roots gently before planting. The crowns are healthy and ready to grow.
• If your plants haven’t started growing after 3 weeks, gently dig up a crown. Check that it’s still firm and inspect the soil for moisture levels.
• Crowns usually fail to grow for two reasons: too much moisture in the soil or soil temperature below 60°F at 12" depth. The latter keeps the plants dormant, not dead.
• Do not add perlite or peat moss to the soil—stick with a sand/soil mix.