Asparagus: when to sow, plant out and harvest
Sowing, planting and harvest dates for your climate, good and bad companions, growing tips.
When to sow in your region
Average dates, computed from the frost dates of each climate. For your exact dates, choose your town.
| Climate | Plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Northern France | 25 March – 7 April | 1 April – 30 June |
| Atlantic coast | 15 March – 28 March | 22 March – 20 June |
| Eastern France | 17 March – 30 March | 24 March – 22 June |
| Mediterranean | 11 February – 24 February | 18 February – 19 May |
| Mountains (around 1,000 m) | 19 April – 2 May | 26 April – 25 July |
Growing
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Latin name
- Asparagus officinalis
- Soil temperature to germinate
- 10 °C minimum
- Emergence
- 10–15 days
- Between rows
- 90–120 cm
- In the row
- 30–45 cm
Companion planting
The level of evidence is shown for each pairing: many rest on tradition rather than on studies.
Sources
- La Bonne Graine (seed company) — Le calendrier des semis et des plants
- The Old Farmer's Almanac — Planting Calendar (New York City, last frost Apr 3; cross-checked with Minneapolis, last frost Apr 30)
- Oregon State University Extension — Soil temperature conditions for vegetable seed germination (from the UC Davis/Harrington data)
- Virginia Cooperative Extension — Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide (426-331)