Plant library
Perennial food
Asparagus
Asparagus officinalis
Zones 3–8
The queen of perennials — a well-made asparagus bed yields every spring for decades. Plant it first; it takes the longest to establish and pays the longest.
Sun
Full sun
Water
moderate
Spacing
18 in apart in rows 4 ft apart
Soil
Deep, sandy, well-drained, pH 7.0-8.0
Difficulty
moderate
Zones
3–8
When to plant
Mar
Apr
Timing shifts with your zone — the Genie can pin down exact dates for you.
How to care for it
Dig a trench 8 in deep, set crowns 12-18 in apart on ridges, and backfill as spears grow. Mulch heavily each fall; feed with compost. Don't harvest until year 3, then it produces for 20-30 years.
Good companions
Tomatoes, parsley, and basil
Harvest
Cut spears at soil level for 6-8 weeks in spring, then let the ferns grow to feed the roots.
Want a plan for growing Asparagus?
Your Genie can give exact timing and care for your zone.
