When To Plant Asparagus In Alabama

If you’re wondering when to plant asparagus in Alabama, timing is your first step to a successful perennial bed. Getting the planting time right is crucial for this long-lived vegetable, and Alabama’s climate offers two ideal windows.

This guide gives you the clear, practical advice you need. We’ll cover the best seasons, how to prepare your site, and simple steps for planting crowns. With a little patience upfront, you can enjoy a harvest for 20 years or more.

For most of Alabama, the best time to plant asparagus is in late winter to early spring. This means February through March. The goal is to get the crowns in the ground while they are still dormant, just before spring growth begins.

A second, less common option is a late fall planting in November. This works well in the milder southern parts of the state and allows roots to establish over the winter.

Understanding Your Alabama Climate Zone

Alabama spans USDA hardiness zones 7a to 9a. This range affects your exact planting date.

North Alabama (Zones 7a-7b): Aim for early to mid-March. Wait until the worst of the freezing weather has passed and soil is workable.
Central Alabama (Zones 8a-8b): Late February through mid-March is perfect. The soil begins to warm a bit earlier here.
South Alabama (Zones 8b-9a): You can plant as early as February or choose a fall planting in November. The longer growing season is a advantage.

Always check your local frost dates, but remember asparagus is cold-hardy once established.

Why Planting Time Matters So Much

Asparagus is a unique crop. You won’t harvest any spears in the first year. Instead, you’re investing in the plant’s root system, called the crown.

Planting at the correct time gives the crown a full season to grow strong roots and ferny foliage.
This energy storage is what fuels the robust spear production you’ll enjoy in future years.
Planting too late in spring risks the crown trying to grow tops before it has settled its roots, stressing the plant.

Choosing the Right Asparagus Variety

Selecting a variety suited to the South will improve your results. Look for heat-tolerant and disease-resistant types.

Jersey Series (Jersey Knight, Jersey Supreme, Jersey Giant): All-male hybrids that produce more spears and are resistant to fusarium wilt and rust. They are a top choice for Alabama gardens.
Purple Passion: Offers beautiful purple spears that turn green when cooked. It’s sweeter and tender, and adapts well to various climates.
Mary Washington: A traditional heirloom variety that is reliable and rust-resistant, though it may produce slightly less than the Jersey types.

Its generally best to buy one-year-old crowns from a reputable nursery. Starting from seed adds an extra year or two before harvest.

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

Proper planting is a one-time effort that pays off for decades. Follow these steps for the best start.

1. Site Selection and Soil Preparation

Asparagus needs full sun—at least 8 hours a day. The site should have excellent drainage to prevent crown rot.

Prepare the soil several weeks before planting. Asparagus thrives in neutral to slightly alkaline soil (pH 6.5-7.5).

Get a soil test. Your local Alabama Cooperative Extension office can help with this.
Work the soil deeply, to a depth of 12-15 inches.
Incorporate 3-4 inches of well-rotted compost or aged manure. Add a balanced, slow-release fertilizer as recommended by your soil test.
Remove all weeds and grass roots thoroughly; they are difficult to remove once the asparagus is established.

2. Planting the Crowns

Plant on a cool, overcast day if possible to prevent the roots from drying out.

Dig a trench 6-8 inches deep and about 12 inches wide. Space trenches 3-4 feet apart.
Create a small mound of soil down the center of the trench, about 2 inches high.
Place the crowns on top of the mound, spreading the roots out evenly like an octopus. Space crowns 12-18 inches apart in the trench.
Cover the crowns with just 2-3 inches of the excavated soil. Do not fill the trench completely yet.
Water thoroughly after planting.

3. Initial Care and Trench Filling

As the shoots begin to grow through the initial soil layer, gradually add more soil around them, taking care not to bury the growing tips.

Continue this process until the trench is filled level with the surrounding soil, usually by mid-summer. This gradual filling supports the tender shoots as they grow.

Keep the bed consistently moist but not soggy, especially in the first growing season. A 3-4 inch layer of mulch (like straw or pine needles) helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Caring for Your Asparagus Bed

The first two years are about building strength. Resist the temptation to harvest any spears in the first year. In the second year, you may harvest for 2-3 weeks if the plants look vigorous.

Regular care is simple:

Watering: Provide 1-1.5 inches of water per week during dry spells.
Weeding: Hand-pull weeds carefully to avoid disturbing the shallow roots. Mulch is your best friend here.
Fertilizing: Each spring, before spears emerge, side-dress with compost or a balanced fertilizer. You can feed again lightly after the harvest season ends.
Winter Care: After the first hard frost turns the ferns brown, cut them down to the ground. Add a fresh layer of mulch over the bed for winter protection.

By the third spring, you can begin a full harvest season, which lasts 6-8 weeks in Alabama.

Common Problems and Solutions in Alabama

A few issues can arise in our humid climate.

Asparagus Beetles: Hand-pick them off or use an organic insecticidal soap. Keeping the bed clean of debris helps.
Fusarium Wilt & Rust: Prevent these fungal diseases by choosing resistant varieties (like the Jerseys) and ensuring good soil drainage. Avoid overwatering.
Poor Yield: This is usually caused by harvesting too early or too heavily, inadequate sunlight, or poor soil nutrition. Patience and proper site prep are key.

FAQ: Planting Asparagus in Alabama

Can I plant asparagus from seed in Alabama?

Yes, but it adds significant time. Seeds should be started indoors in late winter and transplanted outside after danger of frost. You’ll need to wait an extra year (3 years total) before your first light harvest.

What is the best month to plant asparagus in Central Alabama?

Late February through mid-March is generally the ideal window for planting asparagus crowns in Central Alabama.

Can I grow asparagus in South Alabama successfully?

Absolutely. Choose heat-tolerant varieties like Jersey Knight. The longer season is beneficial, and fall planting in November is a viable option to avoid the peak summer heat at establishment.

How much asparagus should I plant for a family of four?

A good starting point is 20-25 crowns. This should provide ample fresh asparagus for eating during the spring harvest season.

Why didn’t my asparagus come back this year?

Several factors could be at play: the bed was harvested too heavily or for too long in previous years, the crown’s were damaged by rot from poor drainage, or extreme weather without protection affected the crowns. Its worth checking the health of the crown in the off-season.

Planting asparagus is a commitment, but one of the most rewarding in the garden. By choosing the right time to plant asparagus in Alabama and giving it a proper home, you’re setting the stage for a reliable, delicious harvest that will greet you each spring for many years to come. The initial wait is well worth the reward.