Asparagus

Use our zone-based planting guide to know when to plant asparagus.

Plant name Zone Start seeds indoors Start seeds outdoors Plant seedlings/transplants outdoors Plant spacing # plants per person
Asparagus 3a Feb. 1-Feb. 15 n/a April 15-May 1 12-18 inches 10-20
Asparagus 3b Feb. 1-Feb. 15 n/a April 15-May 1 12-18 inches 10-20
Asparagus 4a Feb. 1-Feb. 15 n/a April 15-May 1 12-18 inches 10-20
Asparagus 4b Feb. 1-Feb. 15 n/a April 15-May 1 12-18 inches 10-20
Asparagus 5a Jan. 1-Jan. 15 n/a March 15-April 1 12-18 inches 10-20
Asparagus 5b Jan. 1-Jan. 15 n/a March 15-April 1 12-18 inches 10-20
Asparagus 6a Jan. 1-Jan. 15 n/a March 15-April 1 12-18 inches 10-20
Asparagus 6b Jan. 1-Jan. 15 n/a March 15-April 1 12-18 inches 10-20
Asparagus 7a Jan. 1-Jan. 15 n/a March 15-April 1 12-18 inches 10-20
Asparagus 7b Jan. 1-Jan. 15 n/a March 15-April 1 12-18 inches 10-20
Asparagus 8a Dec. 1-Dec. 15 n/a Feb. 15-March 1 12-18 inches 10-20
Asparagus 8b Dec. 1-Dec. 15 n/a Feb. 15-March 1 12-18 inches 10-20
Asparagus 9a Nov. 1-Nov. 15 n/a Jan. 15-30 12-18 inches 10-20
Asparagus 9b Nov. 1-Nov. 15 n/a Jan. 15-30 12-18 inches 10-20
Asparagus 10a Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended
Asparagus 10b Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended
Asparagus 11a Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended
Asparagus 11b Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended

* Asparagus is a perennial and does not produce vegetables in the first year. Start seeds indoors 12-14 weeks before the average last frost date. Plant seedlings outside when soil can be worked in spring, usually 2-4 weeks before the average last frost date. Most people plant crowns or seedlings instead of growing from seed.