my LocalPlanting

How to Grow Asparagus

Reviewed by MyLocalPlanting Editorial Team Updated Sources
Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis)

Get Your Exact Asparagus Planting Dates

Enter your ZIP, city, state, or zone for a personalized planting calendar.

Try:

Ready to grow Asparagus?

Order seeds from trusted suppliers.

🛒 Amazon 🌿 True Leaf

* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌱 Seed Starting Trays 🪴 Seed Starting Mix 💡 Grow Lights 🌡️ Heat Mat 🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

🌿 Plant Overview

Scientific Name Asparagus officinalis
Category vegetable
Days to Maturity 730 days
Starting Method Start Indoors

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun

💧

Water

Regular

🌱

Germination

8-21 days

Ready to Grow Asparagus?

Find quality seeds from trusted suppliers.

🛒 Buy on Amazon 🌿 True Leaf Market

* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟡 Moderate
✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Allow red berries to ripen fully on female plants in late summer/fall.

Processing

Mash berries to release seeds, rinse, dry flat for 2 weeks.

Seed Viability

Up to 3 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Asparagus is dioecious — only female plants produce berries. Male plants produce more spears, so save seed selectively.

Seed Storage Supplies

✉️ Seed Envelopes 🗂️ Mylar Storage Bags 🧊 Silica Gel Packets 📋 Seed Organizer

* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Asparagus Planting Calendar by Zone

Zone 1a Zone 1b Zone 2a Zone 2b Zone 3a Zone 3b Zone 4a Zone 4b Zone 5a Zone 5b Zone 6a Zone 6b Zone 7a Zone 7b Zone 8a Zone 8b Zone 9a Zone 9b Zone 10a Zone 10b Zone 11a Zone 11b Zone 12a Zone 12b Zone 13a

Asparagus Planting Calendar by State

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine View all states →

Other Plants

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Asparagus? +

Start Asparagus seeds indoors 8 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors 2 weeks after the last frost. Use the search on this page to find exact dates for your ZIP code or city.

How long does Asparagus take to grow? +

Asparagus typically matures in about 730 days from planting. Exact timing varies by variety, soil conditions, and local climate.

Should I start Asparagus indoors or direct sow? +

Asparagus should be started indoors 8 weeks before the last frost date. This gives seedlings time to establish before being transplanted outside after frost danger has passed.

How much sun does Asparagus need? +

Asparagus requires full sun to thrive.

How much water does Asparagus need? +

Asparagus has regular water needs. Consistent moisture is important especially during germination and early growth.

Can you save seeds from Asparagus? +

Yes — seed saving difficulty for Asparagus is rated moderate. Allow red berries to ripen fully on female plants in late summer/fall. Mash berries to release seeds, rinse, dry flat for 2 weeks.

How long do Asparagus seeds last in storage? +

Properly dried and stored Asparagus seeds remain viable for up to 3 years. Store in a cool, dark, dry location in an airtight container with a silica gel packet for best results.

Are Asparagus seeds open-pollinated? +

Yes — Asparagus is open-pollinated, meaning seeds saved from your harvest will grow plants true to the parent variety. This makes it an excellent candidate for building a self-sustaining garden.

About Asparagus

Asparagus is a spring vegetable and a flowering perennial plant. Asparagus is native to most of Europe, northern Africa and western Asia, and is widely cultivated as a vegetable crop.

Expect your Asparagus to be ready for harvest in approximately 730 days from planting.

Use the search above or browse by zone or state to find the perfect planting dates for your location.