Want to grow vegetables and take it easy? Perennial vegetables are the way to go. Supreme among the perennial vegetables is asparagus -- plant it and then reap the benefits for up to 20 years. An asparagus bed (raised or not) will produce over and over again, and you'll be dining on delicately flavored, homegrown spears you can pick just before a meal -- which might be each meal during asparagus season. Did you ever hear anyone say, No thanks, I've eaten enough asparagus this week? 
Preparing a bed of rich, light, well-drained soil is the foundation for this garden treasure. In our video Tricia amends the soil in one of her raised beds with organic compost and adds slow-release phosphorus and potassium. If you're planting in new ground you'll need to do some double digging -- don't run away, you only have to do this once every 20 years -- to thoroughly enrich and aerate the soil. Our video has an animation showing you how.
The Trick is in the Trench
Asparagus crowns should spread their roots in trenches. UC Davis suggests a trench eight inches deep, and the University of Missouri recommends a six inch depth. Add fertilizer or an inch of compost, then an inch of soil. Lay the roots flat on either side of the crown and cover all with two inches of soil. Keep an eye on your new plants; as they grow, add more soil so the asparagus is always under two inches of soil. Once the trench soil is level with the surrounding soil you can stop. See? Not so bad.
How to Grow White Asparagus
Still life with asparagus Adriaen Coorte c.1697 Did you know white asparagus is not a different variety from green asparagus? They grow from the same crowns. To make the stalks white, continue the soil-adding process you used to cover the new crowns. You can substitute straw for soil, if you prefer. This time you will be "hilling up" around the stalks as they grow. The stalks will stay white as long as they are not exposed to the sun. This should not be done until the asparagus is at least 3 years old.
The Asparagus Bed in Winter
For tips on getting your asparagus bed ready for winter, watch our video on Fall Perennial Vegetable Care.
One of the Best Investments in Gardening
Choose a sunny spot for your asparagus bed; you might want to place it where you can appreciate the ferny growth as it waves in the breeze. Dig, enrich, hill up -- and you're set for years to come. Our asparagus crowns come with our own Growing Guide. For more information, see Growing Asparagus in the Garden from the UC Davis Cooperative Extension and Growing Asparagus in Missouri from the University of Missouri Extension. These links are helpful in determining how deep to plant the crowns, depending on your climate.
Additional Resources for Growing Asparagus
Looking to expand your asparagus-growing knowledge? Check out these expert articles and guides for more in-depth tips on planting, care, and variety selection:
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🌿 Asparagus Growth Stages and Care Tips – Learn how asparagus plants develop and what they need at each stage for optimal health and productivity.
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🌱 Planting Asparagus Seeds vs. Crowns – Not sure where to start? Discover the pros and cons of planting from seed versus using crowns.
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🌾 Soil Preparation and Fertilization for Asparagus – Set your asparagus up for success with proper soil prep and fertilization techniques.
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🧬 Best Asparagus Varieties for Home Gardens – Explore the top varieties suited for your growing zone and taste preferences.
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📘 Growing Asparagus at Home: A Comprehensive Guide – A step-by-step resource covering everything from site selection to harvest timing.
- 🛒 Shop Asparagus Crowns – Ready to plant? Browse our curated collection of high-quality asparagus crowns available now.
These resources will guide you through every stage—from choosing the right variety to planting, caring, and harvesting your asparagus for years to come.
12 comments
Leo, you don’t want to plant so close to the asparagus that it gets shaded out by the other plants. I would give it room to grow. Also you need to be careful when digging in the bed to not damage any asparagus root crowns. If it is a young asparagus bed it should be ok to plant other things in it, just give it the spacing as you would for other plants.
Can you plant Tomatoes and spinach in the same bed. I have read that the depth of these plants will not intrude on the asparagus.
Susan, as long as your ground does not freeze, you should be able to plant your asparagus now. Just make sure there is good drainage and mulch heavily to avoid freezing of the crowns.
Is it too late to plant 2 yr old asparagus plants in December in Oregon 8b zone?
Rosanna, the first year of your asparagus you should let them grow and not cut them. In the fall/winter, you can cut down the ferns to the soil level. The second year you can harvest a few spears, but not too many, you are allowing the root crown to grow. The third year and beyond, you can harvest spears as normal.