New Utah Gardener: How Do I Plant Asparagus?

Asparagus grows well in Utah! The crowns (live plant starts with roots attached) are available in March and April in our local garden centers. I dug two trenches in my garden. They are about 3 feet apart and 8 inches deep. I placed the asparagus crowns in the trenches - one row green asparagus, one row purple asparagus - about 10 or 12 inches apart. I covered them with 2 or 3 inches of compost. After they sprout, I will bury them with 2 more inches of compost and soil. I will do this all summer until the trenches are full. The asparagus plants will grow tall and ferny. In the fall, I will cut them to the ground. Next summer they will do the same thing. With regular feedings of compost and manure tea, the plants will be strong and healthy. The following spring I will be able to start harvesting asparagus spears as they come out of the ground in May. The harvest lasts for 4 or 5 weeks and then the plants need to rest and rejuvenate and grow tall and ferny again for the summer.