Asparagus is a luxurious perennial vegetable that thrives in the UK climate. While it requires patience (no harvesting for the first two years), an established asparagus bed can produce delicious spears for 20-25 years with minimal care. The RHS stresses leaving the crowns unharvested for the first two seasons so the permanent bed establishes properly. I've found the wait genuinely worth it — once a bed is up and running, it asks for almost nothing in return. This comprehensive guide will show you how to grow asparagus successfully from planting to harvest.
Watch The Asparagus Growing Video
Asparagus is a long-term crop, so site choice matters more than rushing the planting job.
Use the how-to guide and planting dates before planting crowns or dedicating a permanent bed.
Not sure when to plant? See our When to Plant Asparagus UK →
Founder & Head Grower, SoilCommander · RHS Level 2 · 12+ years growing in Yorkshire
I've been growing vegetables on my Yorkshire allotment and raised beds since 2012. Everything I write is based on what I've actually grown, failed at, and eventually got right in a real UK climate.
Quick Growing Facts
- Planting Time: March to April (dormant crowns)
- Harvest Time: April to June (year 3 onwards)
- Lifespan: 20-25+ years
- Difficulty: Moderate (requires patience)
- Position: Full sun, sheltered
When to Plant Asparagus
- Dormant crowns: Plant in March-April (best time)
- Pot-grown plants: Can be planted April-May
- From seed: Possible but adds an extra year; sow in spring
- Male plants preferred: All-male F1 hybrids produce more spears and no seedlings
Soil Preparation
- Soil type: Light, sandy, well-drained soil ideal; won't tolerate waterlogging
- Dig deeply: Work soil to at least 30cm (12 inches) depth
- Remove weeds: Eliminate all perennial weeds - they're hard to remove later
- Add organic matter: Dig in plenty of well-rotted manure or compost
- pH level: Slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.5-7.5)
- Raised beds: Consider raised beds on heavy or poorly-drained soil
- Permanent position: Choose carefully - plants will be there for 20+ years
How to Plant Asparagus
Planting Crowns (recommended method):
- Dig trenches: Make trenches 30cm (12 inches) wide and 20cm (8 inches) deep
- Create ridges: Form a 10cm (4 inch) high ridge along the centre of each trench
- Space trenches: Allow 45cm (18 inches) between trenches
- Soak crowns: Soak crowns in water for 30 minutes before planting
- Place crowns: Sit crowns on ridges, spreading roots down the sides
- Spacing: Space crowns 30-45cm (12-18 inches) apart along the ridge
- Cover lightly: Cover with 5-7.5cm (2-3 inches) of soil initially
- Gradual filling: As shoots grow, gradually fill trench over the season
- Water well: Water thoroughly after planting
💡 Top Tip
Patience is essential with asparagus. Don't harvest any spears in years 1 and 2 - let all spears grow into ferns to build strong root systems. Light harvesting begins in year 3, with full harvests from year 4 onwards.
Ongoing Care
- Watering: Water regularly during dry spells, especially in first two years
- Feeding: Apply general fertiliser in early spring; mulch with well-rotted manure in autumn
- Weeding: Keep weed-free; hand-weed carefully to avoid damaging crowns
- Support ferns: Stake tall ferns in exposed positions to prevent wind damage
- Cut down ferns: Cut yellowing ferns to ground level in autumn (October-November)
- Mulch: Apply mulch after cutting down ferns to suppress weeds and feed soil
- Remove berries: Remove red berries from female plants to prevent self-seeding
Common Problems
Asparagus beetle: Orange and black beetles and grey larvae eat foliage. Hand-pick adults and larvae; spray with organic insecticide if severe.
Slugs and snails: Can damage emerging spears. Protect with barriers or organic pellets.
Violet root rot: Fungal disease causing purple fungal growth on roots. No cure; remove affected plants and don't replant asparagus in same spot.
Poor drainage: Causes crown rot. Ensure excellent drainage; use raised beds if necessary.
Harvesting Asparagus
- Year 1: Don't harvest - let all spears grow into ferns
- Year 2: Don't harvest - continue building root strength
- Year 3: Light harvest for 4-6 weeks (late April-early June)
- Year 4+: Full harvest for 6-8 weeks (late April-mid June)
- Spear size: Harvest when spears are 12-18cm (5-7 inches) tall and pencil-thick
- Cutting method: Cut 2.5cm (1 inch) below soil surface with a sharp knife or asparagus knife
- Harvest regularly: Check daily and cut all spears over 12cm tall
- Stop harvesting: Stop by mid-June to allow ferns to develop and feed roots
- Let ferns grow: Allow all later spears to grow into ferns for the rest of the season
Storage
- Fresh is best: Cook and eat within hours of cutting for best flavour
- Refrigerator: Stand spears upright in a jar of water in the fridge for up to 3 days
- Wrapped: Wrap in damp kitchen paper and store in plastic bag for up to 5 days
- Freezing: Blanch for 2-4 minutes (depending on thickness), cool, then freeze for up to 12 months
Recommended Varieties
All-Male F1 Hybrids (recommended)
Gijnlim
Very popular with heavy yields and excellent flavour — the safest first choice for a new bed.
Backlim
An early, uniform variety — good if you want spears as soon as possible once harvesting begins.
Mondeo
High-yielding with thick spears and good rust resistance — worth choosing on damper plots.
Pacific Purple
Distinctive purple spears that turn green when cooked — a sweet, ornamental choice for a striking bed.
Traditional Varieties (mixed male and female)
Connover's Colossal
An old, reliable variety with good flavour — a solid choice if you prefer a longer-proven cultivar.
Martha Washington
A productive American variety with strong rust resistance — useful if rust has been a problem locally.
Essential Tools & Supplies
All-male asparagus varieties were bred specifically because male plants put their energy into producing spears rather than seeds — they typically out-yield older mixed-sex varieties by a significant margin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I harvest asparagus for two years?
The crown needs that time to build a deep, strong root system. Harvesting early permanently weakens the plant and reduces yields for the rest of its life — the wait genuinely pays off later.
Can I grow asparagus in a raised bed or container?
A raised bed works very well, especially on heavy or poorly-drained soil. A container is possible but needs to be very deep (at least 40cm) and wide, and the bed will be less productive long-term than open ground.
Why are my asparagus spears thin?
Thin spears usually mean the crown isn't yet mature, the bed is overcrowded, or feeding has been inconsistent. Mulch with manure each autumn and avoid harvesting too heavily or too early in the bed's life.
Do I need male and female plants?
No — all-male F1 hybrid varieties are recommended because they put all their energy into spear production rather than seed production, giving significantly higher yields than mixed-sex traditional varieties.
What should I do with the ferns at the end of the season?
Leave them standing until they turn yellow in autumn, since they're feeding the crown below ground. Cut them to ground level in October or November and mulch the bed afterwards.
Watch this short guide on how to grow asparagus in the UK garden — from planting crowns in spring to harvesting tender spears in your third year and beyond.
🌱 Did you know? A well-planted asparagus bed can produce spears for over 20 years — making it one of the best long-term investments in any UK kitchen garden.
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