Collection: Asparagus Crowns

Plant some asparagus for many years of production

3 products

Asparagus Crowns - Grow Organic

Collection: Bare Root Asparagus Crowns

Growing Asparagus

Growing asparagus is a valuable addition to any garden, offering delicious and nutritious spears year after year. This hardy perennial thrives in a variety of climates and rewards gardeners with long-lasting productivity. Understanding the nuances of planting and caring for asparagus plant roots ensures healthy growth and a thriving year asparagus bed for seasons to come. Whether you’re planting bare root asparagus crowns or choosing organic asparagus crowns, these plants flourish in full sun and well-drained soil within the appropriate hardiness zones. With proper spacing of 12–18 inches between crowns, you'll establish strong roots and vigorous plants. Explore our premium asparagus crowns for sale, including favorites like Jersey Knight, and start building your productive asparagus patch today!

Asparagus Crowns: 

There are different types of asparagus, such as Purple Passion and Jersey Giant. These types have different tastes and can grow in different areas. The suitable growing zones for these asparagus varieties are zones 3-8. Choose high-quality asparagus roots or crowns from reliable sources for a thriving asparagus bed.

Asparagus Planting: 

Plant asparagus roots in early spring or fall/winter for mild climates. Select a permanent location for the asparagus bed, as these plants can be productive for 15-20 years. Ensure loose, well-drained soil rich in compost to support root development.

Preparing the Bed: 

Plant asparagus crowns in a trench approximately 12-15 inches deep, spaced about 18 inches apart. As the shoots emerge, gradually cover them with 2 inches of soil, repeating this process as the plants grow until the trench is filled to the top. Some sandy soils may work well if provided the correct level of nutrients.

Understanding the Root System: 

Asparagus roots require ample space and depth for optimal growth. A well-prepared trench, adequately spaced, allows for proper root development, contributing to healthy asparagus plants.

Ample Space for Asparagus Roots:

Asparagus roots thrive when provided with abundant space and correct amount of water. To help plants grow well, ensure that the planting area has sufficient space for roots to spread and explore the soil. This will allow the plants to reach their full potential. This not only supports the immediate growth of the plant but also sets the stage for long-term vitality.

Optimal Depth for Asparagus Roots:

The depth of the planting trench is a critical factor in nurturing healthy asparagus roots. These roots prefer a well-prepared trench that extends to the ideal depth, allowing them to establish a robust foundation. Adequate depth promotes vertical growth, aiding the roots in accessing essential nutrients and moisture from the soil.

Soil pH and Maintenance: 

Asparagus prefers a soil pH of around 6.5 to 7.5. To keep the soil fertile and provide plants with necessary nutrients, regularly add compost or manure. This will help plants thrive and live longer.

Initial Years of Growth: 

During the first year, limit harvesting to a few spears, allowing most to develop into ferns. This process directs energy back into the roots, strengthening the plants. The year after planting, begin regular harvesting of the spears.

Harvesting Asparagus Spears: 

Harvest asparagus spears by snapping or cutting them at ground level when they reach 6-8 inches tall. Regular harvesting encourages continuous spear production throughout the growing season.

Longevity and Care: 

Asparagus crowns are long-lived, establishing a productive bed that requires minimal maintenance. Regular weeding, adequate watering, and mulching help maintain soil moisture and keep the bed healthy. With proper care and maintenance asparagus will provide a long term, year after year harvest.

Varieties and Passion for Asparagus: 

Explore different asparagus varieties like Purple Passion, Jersey Giant, or others suited to your climate and taste preferences. Purple Passion, for instance, boasts a unique color and flavor profile, adding diversity to your harvest.

Bare Root Asparagus Crowns: 

These crowns, sold in bundles, offer a cost-effective way to establish an asparagus bed. Careful planting and proper care ensure a thriving bed yielding abundant, flavorful spears.

Cultivating asparagus crowns demands attention to initial planting depth, soil quality, and patient care for the first couple of years. Growing asparagus in a garden gives tasty spears for a long time, making it a valuable addition to any garden.

Click here to access the complete Asparagus Growing Guide (PDF) for detailed information on soil preparation, planting, and long-term care.

For more information, enjoy our recent blog about Purple Asparagus.

FAQs: Annie's Perennials

What are perennial plants?

Perennial plants live for more than two growing seasons. If properly cared for, they will return year after year with consistent bloom times to add color and diversity to your garden.

What is the difference between annuals and perennials?

The key difference between annuals and perennials is their lifespan. Annuals live for one growing season, although some of our annual plants do re-seed, thereby prolonging their benefits past a single season. Perennial plants and perennial flowers persist for several years, returning year after year, every growing season. Another difference is that true annuals will bloom throughout the entire season; whereas, perennials may bloom intermittently during or between seasons.

What are the benefits of growing perennials?

Perennial plants and flowers provide lasting beauty and structure to your garden. They have specific seasonal bloom times that remain consistent year after year, ensuring vibrant color for your garden throughout the seasons. Perennials also contribute to biodiversity and help the overall environment. Their deep root systems help prevent soil erosion and retain nutrients, while also sequestering carbon. Planting lots of different perennials with varied bloom times ensures consistent, reliable food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and beneficial wildlife.

When should I buy perennials to plant?

The ideal time to plant perennials is spring or early fall. This allows them to establish their root system before extreme weather.

How do I care for perennial plants?

In general, Perennials need watering, occasional fertilization, and deadheading to encourage repeat blooming. The specific care needs can vary by type. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer many native and low water, low-maintenance perennials to make planting and caring for them easy. We want to make gardening success attainable for everyone.

Can you plant perennials in pots or containers?

Yes! We have hundreds of perennial plants that work well in containers as well as in garden beds. Just make sure your pot size is adequate for the root system of your particular plant.

Do perennials require full sun?

Some perennials prefer full sun, which typically means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Other varieties require full or partial shade. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer you many options for both shade and sun plants to fit every gardening need.

Do perennials attract pollinators and wildlife?

Yes! Perennials, with their reliable bloom times, are valuable additions to a pollinator-friendly garden. They provide consistent food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other beneficial wildlife. Planting many different perennials with varied bloom times will attract and feed pollinators throughout all of the seasons.

What are some popular perennial flowers?

Some common perennials include <strong>Yarrow</strong> (Achillea millefolium), </strong>African daisies</strong> (Arctotis) </strong>Butterfly Bush</strong> (Buddleja davidii), <strong>Campanula, Dahlia, Delphiniums, Peonies (Paeonia), Roses (Rosa), Irises, and Coneflowers</strong> (Echinacea). At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer almost hundreds and hundreds of popular perennials – like the ones previously mentioned, along with more unusual and hard-to-find varieties.

At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we also offer many more perennials that are quite unusual and hard to find

What are hardy perennials?

Hardy perennials are perennial plants that grow for multiple seasons and can survive very cold weather in their growing zones. For this reason, hardy perennial plants are the perfect plant selection for any garden.

Do perennials come back every year?

Yes, if planted and cared for properly, perennials will return year after year. At Annie’s, we offer hundreds of perennials that are perfect beginner plants– easy to grow and easy to care for - so everyone can garden successfully.

What are different types of perennials?

Flowering Perennials: Are known for vibrant, consistent and long-lasting blooms. Examples include peonies (Paenonia), roses (Rosa), coneflowers (Echinaea), Abutilon, Alstroemeria, african daisy (Arctotis), foxglove (Digitalis pupurea), carnations (dianthus), geraniums, sages (Salvia), Strawflowers (helichrysum bracteatum), hollyhocks and impatiens, among many others.

Foliage Perennials: Are known for their striking, colorful foliage. Hostas, heucheras, and ornamental grasses are some common varieties.

Shade-Loving Perennials: Thrive in low-light or partial shade conditions. Examples include astilbes, ferns, and bleeding hearts (dicentras). Some of our favorite shade perennials at Annie’s are Begonias, Fuchsias, Sedges, Hellebores, Heucheras, and Impatiens.

Sun-loving perennials: Thrive in full sun conditions (meaning full sun for at least 6 hours per day). Some common examples of sun-loving perennials are lavender (Lavandula), sage (Salvia), African daisy (Arctotis), and yarrow (Achillea millefolium). At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer almost one thousand sun-loving perennials – like the ones previously mentioned along with more unusual and hard-to-find varieties.

Herbaceous Perennials: These are perennial plants that die back to the ground each Fall or Winter, but whose roots remain alive and send up new growth and reemerge in the Spring or Summer. They include a variety of flowers and foliage, like columbines (Aquilegia), delphiniums, foxglove (Digitalis pupurea), and Iris.

Woody Perennials: These are shrubs and small trees that persist for many years, bringing useful structure and seasonal blooms to your garden. Examples include hydrangeas, California lilac (Ceanothus), fuchsias, and butterfly bushes (Buddleja).

Native Perennials: are well-suited to specific regions and often need less maintenance and human intervention. California native plant species might include yarrow (Achillea), California poppies (Eschscholzia californica), milkweed (Asclepias), monkey flowers (Mimulus), and some sages (Salvias), depending on your location. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer one of the largest selections of CA native perennials to be found anywhere.

Long-Blooming Perennials: Have extended blooming periods and can include varieties like Alstroemeria, Abutilon (Flowering Maples), African daisies (Actotis), Agastache, coreopsis, yarrow (Achillea), and sages (Salvias).

Drought-Tolerant Perennials: Can withstand periods of dry conditions and need less watering. Examples include lavender (Lavandula), yarrow (Achillea), sedum (stonecrop), Agastache, Aloe, milkweed (Asclepias), and some sages (Salvias).

Deer-resistant Perennials: Have characteristics that make them less appealing to deer. Options include yarrow (Achillea), lambs' ears (Stachys byzantine), Agastache, and some ornamental sages (Salvia).

Perennial Bulbs: Some perennials grow from bulbs, including favorites like tulips, daffodils, freesias, ranunculus, and irises. They return year after year, adding color to your garden each spring.

Climbing Perennials: Perennial vines like clematis and wisteria add vertical interest to your garden, climbing trellises, arbors, and fences.