Entire healthy mature asparagus plant in a real garden bed, showing growth habit and scale.Primary identification image. 120–180 cm tall, 45–60 cm wide at maturity.

Asparagus

Asparagus officinalis L.

Family: Asparagaceae
Season: Perennial hardy perennial (15–20 years)
Best grown in: Portland, Oregon

A permanent bed: planted from crowns, not harvested until the third year, then cropping every spring for decades.

Safety: Berries are mildly toxic.

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Life cycle & growth stages

1. CrownPlant 1-year crowns in a trench in spring.
2. Year 1Let all spears grow into ferns.
3. Year 2Harvest lightly for 2 weeks.
4. SpearsSpears emerge in spring from year 3.
5. HarvestCut 6–8 weeks, then stop.
6. FernsFerns grow 1.5 m; cut down when yellow in autumn.

Growth stages are ordered chronologically; timing varies with cultivar, temperature, light and care.

Planting calendar for Portland, Oregon

transplant 0–4 weeks before last frost; 365–730 days to maturity from planting. Windows are derived from the region's average frost dates (last Apr 5, first Nov 5) and are estimates until you confirm your own dates in the calendar.

AsparagusAsparagus officinalis

Text version of the planting timeline
Plant	Start indoors	Direct sow	Autumn sow	Transplant	Tend	Harvest
Asparagus	—	—	—	Mar 8–Apr 5 (estimate)	Apr 5–Mar 8 (estimate)	Mar 8–May 24 (estimate)

Transplant outdoors: Mar 8 – Apr 5
Tend and monitor: Apr 5 – Mar 8
Harvest: Mar 8 – May 24

Spacing & support

In-row 30–45 cm; rows 120–150 cm. Planner footprint: 4 cells of 30 cm.

Side-profile diagram of mature asparagus: canopy 120–180 cm tall, 45–60 cm wide, deep root zone, support and harvest-access envelope.

Soil & water

Soil: Deep, well-drained, weed-free loam
pH: 6.5–7.5
Fertility: high
Water: Water in dry spells during fern growth.
Frost: very hardy; tolerates frost

Support & training

No support structure needed.

**Asparagus mid-season before harvest, showing branching, vining, rosette or upright habit and space occupied.**

Harvest signs

Spears 15–20 cm with tight tips
Cut or snap at soil level
Stop harvesting after 6–8 weeks

**Asparagus at harvest readiness, showing the visual cues: spears 15–20 cm with tight tips; cut or snap at soil level.**

Common problems

Pests: asparagus beetle, slugs

Diseases: rust, Fusarium crown rot

Appearance alone is not a diagnosis; confirm with a regional extension guide.

**Side-by-side: healthy asparagus leaf or fruit and an example of rust.**

Container growing

A permanent crop; not suitable for containers.

Companion overview

2 reviewed relationship records (evidence: low).

Supported or conditional

None reviewed

Avoid or separate

None with evidence

Traditional claims only: Tomato.

1 popular pairing reviewed with no verified relationship.

Full companion profile

Crop rotation

Asparagus is a permanent planting; rotation does not apply, but do not replant it where a related crop failed from soil disease.

Crop rotation hub

Sources, reviewer & update

Sources

Vegetable Growing Guides (Cornell University, 2024)
Grow Your Own vegetables, herbs and fruit (Royal Horticultural Society, 2025)

Reviewer: Garden Planner editorial team (pending independent horticultural review)

Last reviewed: August 15, 2026 · version 1

Found an error or have feedback? Let us know.

Growing asparagus

Asparagus crowns are planted in early spring in trenches in a dedicated bed that will not be disturbed for 15–20 years. No spears are cut in the first year, a few in the second, and a full 6–8-week harvest from the third year.

**Asparagus planting material (crown, set, clove, slip or tuber) beside a ruler or coin for scale.**

**Asparagus seedling at cotyledon and first-true-leaf stage, in soil, distinguishable from common weeds.**

**Asparagus at transplant-ready stage with root ball visible beside the cell or pot.**

After harvest, the ferns grow 1.2–1.8 m tall and feed the crowns for next year; they shade anything to the north and should not be cut until they yellow in autumn. Asparagus beetle is the main pest.

**Two or more mature asparagus plants with a tape measure showing in-row spacing (30–45 cm).**

**Asparagus flower detail or bolting stage.**

**Immature young shoots of asparagus developing on the plant.**

Because it is permanent, asparagus has no rotation but needs a weed-free bed; it is a poor competitor.

Edible parts and safety

Edible: young shoots (spears). Berries are mildly toxic.

**Hands or tool harvesting asparagus correctly (cut, pull, twist or pick) without damaging the plant.**

Pests and diseases

Common pests: asparagus beetle, slugs. Common diseases: rust, Fusarium crown rot. These vary by region; a photograph is an example, not a diagnosis. See the pest and disease guides and your local extension service.