When to plant

• Set out crowns about 4 weeks before your average last spring frost.

Plant crowns 6 in deep. Don't harvest until year 3; lasts 20+ years.

Frost dates depend on where you live. Enter your ZIP code to get exact dates.

Dates by zone: 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b

Growing basics

Toxic parts. Red berries on female plants are poisonous.

Harmful to pets. The red berries on the ferns can upset cats' and dogs' stomachs.

Sun

Full sun (6+ hours)

Spacing

12–18 in

Soil temperature

At least 50°F

Plant family

Other

Harvest per plant

About 0.5 lb

Companions

Keep apart: the onion family (alliums). Onions and garlic can stunt asparagus.

Keep apart: Horseradish. Horseradish spreads aggressively. Give it its own spot.

Keep apart: Mint. Mint spreads aggressively into neighbors. Keep it in a pot.

Keep apart: Fennel (bulb). Fennel slows the growth of most garden plants. Grow it on its own.

Keep apart: Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke). Sunchokes spread aggressively and shade neighbors.

Pests and problems

Grow it well

Affiliate links: we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.