Asparagus not coming up - Ask Extension
Hello! I planted two sets of asparagus crowns on April 9 and April 20, respectively. I think all that's coming up are weeds. Does anything in these ph...
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Asparagus not coming up #868492
Asked May 15, 2024, 7:53 AM EDT
Hello! I planted two sets of asparagus crowns on April 9 and April 20, respectively. I think all that's coming up are weeds. Does anything in these photos look like asparagus? This is my first time growing it so I don't quite know what it should look like when it emerges, but I assume it would look like mini-asparagus tips. I planted about 6 inches deep in compost (which was rather heavy) and covered with 2 inches. The germination time was 2-6 weeks so I'm still barely within that, but I'm wondering if they're all a bust. If none of them come up, is it too late to start over with new crowns this year? I hate to wait another year. Thanks for your help!
Baltimore County Maryland
Expert Response
Your emerging seedlings appear to be a grassy weed.
If the newly planted crowns had plump roots you should begin to see slender spears emerge from crown buds in the next 2-4 weeks. Allow them to grow into ferns. Cut down ferns after the first killing frost in fall.
Here is our page on growing Asparagus in Maryland:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-asparagus-home-garden/
Good luck!
Christine
If the newly planted crowns had plump roots you should begin to see slender spears emerge from crown buds in the next 2-4 weeks. Allow them to grow into ferns. Cut down ferns after the first killing frost in fall.
Here is our page on growing Asparagus in Maryland:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-asparagus-home-garden/
Good luck!
Christine
Thanks, Christine. I had not checked on the progress of these guys for a couple of days because of all the rain. When I went to check this morning, lo and behold, all of the first plantings clearly have asparagus sprouts! Thanks so much for your help and for the link to the asparagus page.
Best,
Holly