Step 1

Choosing location

Luckily enough you can plant asparagus anywhere as long as it is a sunny location. Make sure that the compost is free draining and enriched with well-rotted manure. Though you can sow from seed, but for the beginners we suggest buying asparagus crowns, which are simply one-year old plants. You should plant the crowns as early in a year as February or March when they are still dormant.

Image source: cheeses (Some rights reserved)

Step 2

Plant asparagus in March

To create the best asparagus growing area, dig the planting site once or twice if the soil is heavy, while removing weeds and adding well-rotted manure. Break up the soil with a spading fork.

Dig out a trench that is 20cm deep and 30cm wide, spreading a layer of compost at the bottom and covering this with a layer of the soil you’ve dug out (5 cm should be sufficient).  Leave 50 cm between trenches.

The top of the asparagus crown should be slightly above the roots. So add some soil to form a 10cm mound down the centre of the trench. Put each asparagus crown on the top of the mound, spacing 30cm apart.

Spread out the roots and backfill the trench, leaving only the very tops of the crowns showing above the surface. Water thoroughly.

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Step 3

Caring for young plants

Over the next two years, weed extremely carefully, avoiding disturbing the ground. Add mulch in late winter to keep the bed moist, and feed plants in spring with a blood, fish and bone fertiliser mix. Each autumn, cut the foliage down to ground level as it begins to yellow.

Image source: Edsel L (Some rights reserved)

Step 4

Harvesting from the third year onwards

In the third year, use a sharp knife to remove growing spears starting in April. Spears should be cut off below the surface when they’re 10-15 cm tall. Stop harvesting in the middle of June to allow the plant to regenerate.