Harvesting asparagus is a tremendously rewarding experience after a few years of waiting for your perennial asparagus to be ready.
We love planting perennial vegetables and highly recommend it as the gift that keeps on giving!
Here we’re providing information on harvesting asparagus by the USDA Hardiness Zones, so that you can find guidance for your regional climate.
Harvesting Asparagus by Growing Zone
Zone 3:
- Planting: Early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked
- Harvesting: Late May to mid-June
- Tips: Harvest for 2-3 weeks during the first year; after that, increase the harvest period to 4-6 weeks.
Zone 4:
- Planting: Early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked
- Harvesting: Mid-May to late June
- Tips: Harvest for 2-3 weeks during the first year; after that, increase the harvest period to 4-6 weeks.
USDA Zone 5:
- Planting: Early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked
- Harvesting: Early May to late June
- Tips: Harvest for 2-3 weeks during the first year; after that, increase the harvest period to 4-6 weeks.
Zone 6:
- Planting: Early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked
- Harvesting: Late April to mid-June
- Tips: Harvest for 2-3 weeks during the first year; after that, increase the harvest period to 4-6 weeks.
Zone 7:
- Planting: Early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked
- Harvesting: Mid-April to early June
- Tips: Harvest for 2-3 weeks during the first year; after that, increase the harvest period to 4-6 weeks.
USDA Zone 8:
- Planting: Early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked
- Harvesting: Early April to late May
- Tips: Harvest for 2-3 weeks during the first year; after that, increase the harvest period to 4-6 weeks.
Zone 9:
Note: Asparagus tends to prefer cooler climates, however, many have success in growing asparagus in zone 9-10.[1]https://www.gurneys.com/product/erasmus-asparagus[2]https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/asset-external/easy-gardening-asparagus/
- Planting: Late winter to early spring
- Harvesting: Late March to mid-May
- Tips: Harvest for 2-3 weeks during the first year; after that, increase the harvest period to 4-6 weeks.
General Harvesting Asparagus Tips
- Harvest asparagus when the spears are 6-8 inches tall and the tips are still tightly closed.
- We use a sharp knife wielded like a machete, but you can also use pruners, or an asparagus harvesting tool to cut the spears at ground level. Be careful not to damage nearby emerging spears. Alternately, you can snap the stem near the base, but it can be easier to damage the stems, so we prefer a knife.
- Harvest in the early morning when temperatures are cooler for best flavor and texture.
- Stop harvesting when the diameter of the majority of the spears becomes smaller than a pencil. This allows the plants to produce energy for the next growing season.
Remember, these are general guidelines, and it’s advisable to monitor local weather conditions and adjust the planting and harvesting times accordingly.
Also, check out these other perennial vegetables to plant.
I’m LeAura Alderson, a garden, herb and plant enthusiast with a passion for discovering the many edible and medicinal benefits of the plants all around us, including the weeds! I’m a writer, editor and media publisher for our family of websites.
While I was certified in fitness and life coaching, I am NOT a health practitioner. However, I’m a lifelong health enthusiast, with a keen interest in healthy, organic foods and making home remedies and the content we share is from our own experience and usage as well as that extracted from scientific research so that you can explore further on your own.
Always seek the advice and guidance of your health practitioners first and foremost.
As a family we’re steadily expanding our gardening, experimentation and knowledge around all things gardening, edible landscaping, fresh organic foods and self sustainability with farming in our future. I also own and manage iCreateDaily.com, a site all about transformation through creation, and the power of positivity, optimism and mindset.
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