Asparagus
Asparagus officinalis
A vegetable, planted March or June, or sown February to April. It needs 3 jobs a year.
In September: cut the asparagus ferns down to the base. Wear gloves to pick the spears: they can cause a skin allergy.
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Asparagus, month by month
Bar: the usual months. Sprout: this month.
| Sowing, planting or job | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | 2027Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow under cover. | none | none | none | none | none | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none |
| Sow outdoors. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none | none | none | none |
| Plant out. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | none | none |
| Plant a bare-root asparagus. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | none | none | none | none | none |
| Mulch the asparagus. | none | none | none | none | none | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none |
| Cut the asparagus spears. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none |
| Cut the asparagus ferns down to the base. | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none |
What to do, and when
The usual months for a UK garden. Your own plan gives the week.
Handle it with care
Wear gloves to pick the spears: they can cause a skin allergy.
Strong source: RHS.
Sowing and planting
Sow under cover in February, 1 to 2cm deep. Strong source: RHS. Weaker source for the depth: Growseed.
Sow outdoors March to April, 2.5cm deep, 15cm apart, rows 30 to 45cm apart. Strong source: RHS.
Plant out in June, 30 to 45cm apart, rows 45cm apart. Strong source: RHS.
Plant a bare-root asparagus in March, 30 to 45cm apart, rows 45cm apart. Strong source: RHS.
Mulch the asparagus
Spread a thick layer over the bed to stop weed seeds germinating.
Usually February. Strong source: RHS.
Cut the asparagus spears
Wait until its third year in the ground.
Usually April to June. Moderate source: Gardeners’ World.
Cut the asparagus ferns down to the base
Usually September to November. Moderate source: RHS.
What the source words mean
Strong: the RHS page for this plant is among them.Moderate: another trusted UK source, or the RHS on its group.Weaker: a blog, a forum, a small website or a page from outside the UK. Treat it as a guide.
What not to do
Don’t cut asparagus for the first two years
Leave the spears to grow for the first two years after planting. Start cutting in the third year.
Strong sources: RHS and Gardeners’ World.
Every line above names the page it comes from. Where we found no good source for a job, we left it out. Where the name “Asparagus” comes from.