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Wednesday, February 12, 2025

When and How you can Transplant Asparagus


As a child, I wasn’t an enormous fan of asparagus, however now I can’t get sufficient of it.

The rationale? There weren’t any asparagus farms close by and none of my neighbors grew it of their gardens, so I’d by no means tasted it freshly picked.

Properly, I moved and issues have modified! Asparagus is type of a giant deal right here in Ontario, a brief drive north of New York.

This space is understood for sure crops, and asparagus is certainly one of them. In reality, native farms right here produce many of the asparagus that lands on the plates of Canadians.

A close up vertical image of asparagus spears growing in the garden, pictured on a soft focus background. To the center and bottom of the frame is green and white printed text.

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The primary yr I lived in Ontario Zone 5, individuals began speaking about asparagus in March, when the countdown to reap often begins. And by Could, the entire province was buzzing with anticipation.

As an outsider, I used to be skeptical. I assumed it was an exaggeration blown out of proportion. Absolutely it couldn’t be nearly as good as all of them claimed!

However as soon as I tasted my first chunk of farm-fresh spears, I used to be hooked. This wholesome plant lives as much as the hype, and in the event you’ve had it, you realize what I’m speaking about.

Steamed, sauteed, grilled or baked – any approach you cook dinner it, it’s scrumptious! When asparagus is in season, it turns into much less of a facet attraction and extra like the principle present.

I maintain a deep respect for farmers, so I all the time assist their work by buying straight from them after I can. However shopping for in massive portions will be costly. Plus, studying to develop your individual meals is enjoyable.

So, when a good friend gifted me a tiny younger crown, I gladly accepted it, introduced it dwelling, and with out a lot foresight, I planted it in a nook of my backyard close to varied herbs.

However later, I spotted I ought to have deliberate a bit higher. Hindsight, proper?

Asparagus is a perennial vegetable within the Asparagaceae household. Like hostas, fellow relations, the tender, pointed shoots that emerge from the bottom in spring are edible. With asparagus, these are known as spears.

Asparagus grows from rhizomes that multiply, rising the realm of floor they cowl with age.

When it’s first planted, many individuals don’t notice simply how a lot their asparagus will increase because it grows. And though there are totally different causes to transplant, that is in all probability the commonest one.

Most growers buy one-year-old crops to start out their crops, and shifting mature crops is commonly discouraged. It’s a bit dangerous and isn’t all the time profitable, however with some considerate planning and cautious consideration, it may be accomplished.

Our asparagus rising information will train you virtually every part you want to learn about cultivation and care. This text will focus particularly on transplanting.

So, in the event you’re like me and you’ve got an asparagus plant that’s not fairly the place you need it to be in your backyard, learn on to be taught extra.

Right here’s a fast rundown of every part I’ll be sharing:

Able to get began? Let’s go!

All About Crowns

Asparagus is a long-term perennial crop. Rising straight from seed is usually a finicky and time-consuming course of, so most farmers and residential gardeners want transplanting clumps, known as crowns.

That is the quickest technique to maneuver you towards the last word objective: harvest.

A close up vertical image of asparagus spears growing in the garden pictured on a soft focus background.

After transplanting, the expansion cycle is disrupted, and you want to let the plant get well. The really useful time to attend earlier than harvesting is 2 to a few years.

This implies each time you transplant, you prolong your ready time.

With this in thoughts, it’s straightforward to grasp why it’s essential to plan and select your planting web site fastidiously to keep away from pointless transplanting later.

If you happen to plan and transplant appropriately, relying on the cultivar and situations, crops can produce properly for as much as 20 years.

A close up vertical image of a bunch of freshly harvested asparagus spears tied together with string and set on a wooden surface.

To grasp the transplanting course of for asparagus, it’s useful to study crowns first. They’re not the bejeweled golden halos you’re considering of, however they’re treasured. Let’s dig deeper.

Underground, the plant is about on a community of rhizomes and fleshy and fibrous roots. The fleshy roots and rhizomes make up the crown, which is the perennial portion of the plant.

The fleshy roots retailer power, which helps the spears and ferns above floor develop, and they’re additionally the location of fibrous root growth. The fibrous roots take up water and vitamins from the soil, however they solely dwell for one or two seasons.

A close up horizontal image of asparagus roots lying horizontally in a trench dug in the soil.

The rhizomes are the a part of the plant that produces the edible spears.

When transplanting asparagus, the crown is the principle a part of the plant we’re involved with and what we’re targeted on.

All proper, kings and queens, let’s straighten our crowns and put together for the royal ceremony of transplanting.

Put together the Website and Soil

The very best time to transplant crowns is within the spring, as quickly as the bottom has thawed sufficient to simply work the soil.

A close up horizontal image of rows of asparagus plants growing in the garden that have ferned out.

As a result of it is a long-term perennial crop, a lot thought must be given to selecting one of the best new location.

Intention for a devoted, everlasting mattress with ample area to permit your crowns to increase to their mature measurement.

Asparagus will tolerate some shade however grows finest in full solar, so search for a heat, uncovered part of your yard or backyard. Keep away from planting the place massive bushes or shrubs would possibly block out daylight.

Most soil sorts will do, however asparagus prefers sandy, sandy loam, or loam soil with good drainage.

The foundation methods prefer to increase extensive and deep, so guarantee your soil is unfastened. When you have poor soil, put together it by working in manure and/or compost earlier than planting.

Dig and Divide

Many consultants advise in opposition to transplanting or shifting mature crowns.

It is because the crops can turn into fairly massive with intensive root methods, making it tough to raise them from the bottom multi function piece. And transplant shock is an actual factor.

A close up vertical image of overcrowded asparagus plants growing in the garden.
Picture by Tabitha Casswell.

On the constructive facet, different gardeners promote dividing massive, well-established crowns as a method to make extra crops and increase the dimensions of your asparagus patch.

Plus, in case your plant is rising uncontrolled, located in a poor location, otherwise you’ve realized there simply isn’t enough space for it to prosper, what do it’s important to lose? Dig it up!

Each time I dig up crops, I all the time attempt to estimate how far out their roots would possibly prolong, then add much more area. Root methods prolong horizontally from the crowns, so it is a secure strategy.

A close up of a large overgrowing asparagus plant with ferns and yellow flowers.

Begin digging additional away from the plant than you would possibly count on the roots to be, then transfer nearer to search out the basis zone.

For younger crops (one to 2 years), begin six to 12 inches away from the bottom of the plant. For older, established crops, their roots can prolong as much as six ft extensive, so take a look at by digging a number of ft away at first.

While you discover the roots, dig all the way in which across the crown and thoroughly go deep to dig beneath it. It could possibly be fairly massive, heavy, and lodged in place, so be affected person and take your time as you loosen it from its spot. Deal with it with care.

When you’ve obtained the treasure unfastened and lifted out of the bottom, gently clear away many of the unfastened dust from the roots. You possibly can even give the roots a delicate spray with the hose to disclose the hidden components you’re working with.

A close up horizontal image of a trowel stuck into the soil in the garden.

A big, mature crown is often made up of a number of rising factors, or locations the place new spears will emerge.

If you want, you may gently pull the crown aside into smaller sections. Attempt to depart a number of aboveground rising factors in every part. When you have hassle pulling them aside, fastidiously lower some roots as wanted.

That is additionally a great time to discard any outdated, woody items of the plant or roots.

Now you’ve both obtained one plant out of the bottom and able to transplant, otherwise you’ve obtained it divided into smaller sections, all able to go. Let’s transfer to the subsequent step: planting.

Transplant in Trenches: Gradual Planting

Planting asparagus crowns jogs my memory of planting seed potatoes. It’s a gradual course of, drawn out over weeks.

Asparagus crops are inclined to “raise” naturally as they develop, so this technique accommodates their habits.

A close up horizontal image of a gardener digging the soil with a spade.

These directions are for smaller crops, younger crops, or divided sections. If you happen to’re transplanting a mature monster asparagus, regulate the opening or trench measurement to accommodate this course of – and good luck!

Begin by digging a gap (if one plant) or V-shaped trench (for a number of crops) eight to 10 inches deep and about eight to 12 inches extensive. Place the crown(s) within the backside.

Some growers create a small mound of soil within the backside of the ditch to assist the crowns, however that step is elective.

Area a number of crops about 18 to 24 inches aside, and rows 4 to 6 ft aside.

A close up horizontal image of a gardener's gloved hands firming the soil around a transplant.

Cowl the roots with about two to a few inches of soil. Your plant must be tucked down within the trench and you could or might not see the tops peeking out at or simply above floor degree.

Apply a water soluble fertilizer excessive in phosphorus (P), and decrease in nitrogen (N) and potassium (Okay). Search for NPK ratios like 10-52-10, 0-46-0, or 11-15-0 on the packaging.

One thing like this one made by RAW and bought by Arbico Organics (9-61-0) ought to do the trick.

A close up of the packaging of RAW phosphorus plant food isolated on a white background.

RAW Phosphorus

Comply with package deal instructions and water it in properly.

Each one to a few weeks, because the crown turns into established and begins to placed on new progress, you’ll add one other few inches of soil to the ditch, overlaying a bit of extra of the plant at a time.

By the tip of the season, the planted trench must be degree with the encompassing soil.

A horizontal image of early growth of asparagus spears growing in rows in the garden.

Maintain the brand new transplants watered persistently however keep away from overwatering.

You don’t need your trench to turn into a soggy lavatory as a result of this might encourage rot and illness.

As soon as the plant turns into established and its roots develop deep and extensive, water necessities will likely be a lot much less.

Eradicate competitors for water and vitamins by eradicating weeds all through the season.

As your crops strategy the tip of the season, their ferns will start to show yellow. Some growers lower ferns for winter; some depart them and lower in early spring.

Relying on the native rising situations, some growers additionally apply mulch to the bottom of crops to retain moisture and defend from frost harm.

Seek the advice of our information for extra info on mulching and caring for asparagus because it approaches dormancy.

A Celebratory Feast

I’ve coated every part about transplanting asparagus, together with a lesson about crowns, selecting and making ready your new planting web site, digging and dividing crops, the gradual planting technique, and a few ideas for aftercare.

A close up horizontal image of two hands from the left of the frame using a knife to harvest asparagus spears.

In a number of years, it’s best to have an asparagus feast match for royalty. It’s time to have fun! Have you ever transplanted asparagus? Are you planning to? Tell us within the feedback part beneath!

If you happen to discovered this text useful, and also you’re in search of extra info, learn our different guides to caring for asparagus, beginning with these:

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