🌱 When to Plant Asparagus

When should I plant asparagus?

Plant asparagus outdoors 2 weeks before last frost.

Is asparagus frost sensitive?

Asparagus can tolerate light frost, surviving temperatures as low as 28°F. This makes it a great candidate for early spring or fall planting when other crops can't go out yet.

What temperature does asparagus need?

Asparagus grows best between 50°F and 85°F. It can survive down to 28°F, but growth slows significantly below 50°F. It prefers cool weather and may bolt or stop producing if summer heat arrives early.

How long does asparagus take to grow?

Asparagus typically takes 365–730 days from transplant (or direct sow) to first harvest. This is a long-season crop — start seeds early enough to ensure harvest before your area's first fall frost.

Is it too cold to plant asparagus?

It is too cold to plant Asparagus outdoors when nighttime temperatures are falling below 28°F. While Asparagus can tolerate temperatures as low as 28°F, growth will be slow until nights consistently exceed 50°F. Use CanIPlant to check your local 7-day forecast and get a real-time answer for your ZIP code.

Is it too hot to plant asparagus?

Asparagus starts to struggle when temperatures climb above 85°F. As a warm-season crop, Asparagus enjoys heat but can experience blossom drop and reduced fruiting above 90°F. Consistent highs above that level may delay planting until temperatures moderate. CanIPlant checks your local forecast highs to flag this automatically.

Any tips for growing asparagus?

Perennial — plant crowns and wait 2 years for first harvest. Produces for 20+ years.