Texas, U.S. · outdoor planting

When to plant asparagus in Texas

In Texas, plant 1- or 2-year-old asparagus crowns in January or February, or as soon as the ground can be worked. Texas A&M says asparagus is best suited to cooler North and West Texas, although it can also grow around Dallas and Houston.

Choose your next step
Planting time
January–February
Or when the ground can be worked.
Best fit
North and West Texas
The source notes poor production in mild-winter, long-hot-summer areas.
Crown spacing
12–14 inches
Rows are 5 feet apart.

Planting dates

Texas A&M says to plant 1- or 2-year-old crowns in January or February, or as soon as the ground can be worked. This is a crown-planting decision. Do not substitute a seed-starting date and promise the same establishment time.

Texas A&M: Easy Gardening, Asparagus

Your region

Asparagus is best suited to cooler North and West Texas, according to Texas A&M. It can also grow around Dallas and Houston, but it produces poorly where winters are mild and summers are extremely long and hot. Check whether that climate fit describes your garden before dedicating a permanent bed.

Texas A&M: Easy Gardening, Asparagus

How to plant crowns

Mark rows 5 feet apart. Texas A&M specifies crowns 12 to 14 inches apart in a furrow 4 inches wide and 4 to 12 inches deep. In loose soil, plant 6 to 12 inches deep; in heavier soil, use 4 to 6 inches. Fill the furrow gradually as shoots grow, or use the source’s immediate-fill alternative.

Texas A&M: Easy Gardening, Asparagus

Plan for the establishment period

Texas A&M says a bed reaches full production 2 to 3 years after crown planting. Do not harvest during the first 2 years. This makes site choice and climate fit part of the timing decision, not a side note after planting.

Texas A&M: Easy Gardening, Asparagus

Choose your next step

You garden in North or West Texas

Use the January-to-February crown window and prepare a permanent, well-drained bed.

Your winters are mild and summers stay very hot

Read the source’s climate limitation before committing space, because it reports poorer asparagus production in those conditions.

You have seed rather than crowns

Keep seed growing separate from the crown-planting schedule. Texas A&M notes that growing a good crown from seed takes at least a year.

Planting questions

Can asparagus grow anywhere in Texas?

Texas A&M says it is best suited to North and West Texas and can also grow around Dallas and Houston; it reports poor production in mild-winter, extremely hot areas.

Texas A&M: Easy Gardening, Asparagus

How far apart should asparagus crowns be planted?

Texas A&M lists 12 to 14 inches between crowns and 5 feet between rows.

Texas A&M: Easy Gardening, Asparagus

When can I first harvest?

Texas A&M says not to harvest during the first 2 years after planting, while the crowns establish.

Texas A&M: Easy Gardening, Asparagus
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