Planting

Asparagus

Planting Time Plant asparagus crowns in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. This long-lived crop likes cool starts and steady weather. Once it gets settled, asparagus will produce year after year—like a dependable old ranch dog that never misses supper.

Depth & Spacing Plant crowns six inches deep in trenches spaced three feet apart. Set each crown eighteen inches away from the next. Give them room to stretch, because asparagus grows roots deeper than a redneck digging for buried beer money.

Soil & Fertilization Asparagus loves loose, rich, well-draining soil loaded with compost. Work in fertilizer before planting and top-dress each spring. This crop is in it for the long haul, so give it a buffet worthy of a country wedding.

Watering Needs Keep soil evenly moist during establishment. Once mature, asparagus handles dry spells, but steady watering yields fatter, sweeter spears. Neglect it and you’ll get skinny spears that look like they’ve been on a diet.

Sunlight Requirements Asparagus thrives in full sun. More sunlight means thicker, tastier spears—just don’t shade it out with tall crops unless you’re trying to grow asparagus that sulks.

Harvesting Do not harvest the first year. Take light harvests the second year, then go full cowboy in the third year. Cut spears when they reach six to eight inches tall. Once they start leafing out, let them grow to feed next year’s harvest.

Captain Greenhouse Tip To keep asparagus beds producing for decades, mulch heavy and keep weeds out. Treat this perennial patch like family—give it good food, good space, and don’t rush it—and it’ll reward you every spring with spears stout enough to make you puff your chest out like you just herded cattle before breakfast.