When To Plant Asparagus In Virginia

If you’re a Virginia gardener, knowing when to plant asparagus is the first step to a successful perennial bed. For optimal spring harvests, the timing is crucial and follows the rhythm of our state’s distinct seasons.

Getting it right means you’ll enjoy tender spears for decades. This guide walks you through the best schedule, varieties, and simple steps to establish your patch.

The ideal time to plant asparagus crowns in Virginia is in early spring, as soon as the soil is workable. This is typically from late March through mid-April, depending on your specific region.

Planting at this time allows the crowns to establish their root systems in the cool, moist soil before summer’s heat arrives. Fall planting is generally not recommended in Virginia, as young plants may not survive the winter without a full season of growth.

Understanding Virginia’s Climate Zones

Virginia spans USDA hardiness zones 5b through 8a. This variation affects your exact planting window.

Zones 5b & 6 (Western & Mountain Regions): Plant from early to mid-April. Wait for soil to thaw and dry slightly.
Zone 7 (Piedmont & Central VA): This is the prime window. Aim for late March to early April.
Zone 8a (Coastal & Southeastern VA): You can start earliest, in mid to late March.

A good rule is to plant asparagus crowns about the same time you would plant your early potatoes or peas.

Choosing the Right Asparagus Variety

Selecting a variety suited to Virginia ensures better yeilds and disease resistance. Here are top choices:

Jersey Series (Jersey Knight, Jersey Supreme, Jersey Giant): All-male hybrids that produce more spears and are resistant to fusarium wilt and rust.
Purple Passion: Offers beautiful, sweet purple spears that turn green when cooked. It’s a bit more tender.
Mary Washington: A reliable, traditional heirloom variety that’s well-adapted and disease-resistant.

Most gardeners find the Jersey series to be the most productive and low-maintenance option for our climate.

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

Proper planting is an investment. Follow these steps for a strong start.

1. Site Selection and Soil Prep

Asparagus needs full sun—at least 8 hours daily. The bed will be permanent, so choose wisely. The soil should be well-draining; asparagus hates wet feet.

Prepare the soil in the fall if possible, or as early as you can in spring. Here’s how:

Remove all weeds and grass thoroughly.
Dig a trench 12 inches deep and 12 inches wide.
Mix the excavated soil with generous amounts of compost and well-rotted manure. Adding a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at this stage is also beneficial.

2. Planting the Crowns

When your soil is ready and the timing is right, it’s planting day.

Create a 6-inch high mound of your amended soil down the center of the trench.
Place the asparagus crowns on top of the mound, spacing them 12 to 18 inches apart. Drape the roots down the sides of the mound.
If planting multiple rows, space the rows 3 to 4 feet apart.
Cover the crowns with 2 to 3 inches of your soil mix. Water deeply.

As the spears begin to grow through the season, you’ll gradually fill in the trench with the remaining soil until it’s level.

Caring for Your New Asparagus Bed

The first two years are about building strength, not harvest.

Year 1: The Establishment Phase

Keep the bed consistently moist but not soggy. Mulch heavily with straw or shredded leaves to supress weeds and retain moisture. Let all the ferns grow without cutting any spears. They are the engine that feeds the crown for next year.

Year 2: Building Energy

Continue watering and weeding. You may see a few more spears emerge. You can harvest very lightly for about 2 weeks, snapping spears that are thicker than a pencil. Then, allow the rest to grow into ferns.

Year 3 & Beyond: The Harvest Years

Your patience pays off. Harvest spears for 6 to 8 weeks in spring, stopping by early June. After harvest, let the ferns grow to recharge the crowns. Apply a balanced fertilizer after harvesting is complete.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Harvesting Too Soon: This is the biggest error. It weakens the plant for future years.
Poor Weed Control: Weeds compete fiercely with young asparagus. Mulch is your best friend.
Shallow Planting: Planting crowns too shallow can lead to weak spears and poor establishment.
Ignoring Soil pH: Asparagus prefers a near-neutral pH of 6.5-7.5. A soil test can prevent many problems.

Seasonal Checklist for Virginia Gardeners

Keep your asparagus bed on track with this annual calendar:

Late Winter: Order crowns. Clear old mulch from the bed.
Early Spring (Planting Time): Test soil if needed. Plant new crowns.
Spring (Harvest Season for Mature Beds): Harvest spears daily for 6-8 weeks. Fertilize after harvest.
Summer: Water during dry spells. Let ferns grow tall.
Fall: After frost turns ferns brown, cut them down to 2 inches above the soil. Apply a fresh layer of compost and mulch.

FAQ: Asparagus in Virginia

Can I grow asparagus from seed in Virginia?

Yes, but it adds an extra year to the establishment process. Seeds are started indoors in late winter. It’s more common and reliable to start with one-year-old crowns.

What if I miss the early spring planting window?

If it’s still early to mid-May, you can plant but be vigilant about watering through the summer. Later than that, it’s best to wait until next spring. Potted asparagus from a nursery can be planted later with care.

How long does an asparagus plant live?

With proper care, an asparagus bed can be productive for 20 years or more. That’s why initial site preparation is so important—your’re making a long-term investment.

Why are my asparagus spears so thin?

Thin spears are normal in the first few years. In mature beds, thin spears can indicate overcrowding, nutrient deficiency, or fatigue from over-harvesting the previous season. A soil test and proper bed spacing can help.

Planting asparagus requires a bit of patience, but the reward of fresh, homegrown spears every spring is well worth it. By timing your planting for early spring in Virginia and giving the plants the care they need in the first few years, you’ll establish a bed that provides delicious harvests for a very long time. Remember, the key is to think like the asparagus plant—focus on building strong roots first, and the bountiful harvests will follow.