Asparagus Farming: How to Plant and Grow

December 4, 2023 by Lauro Braganza

Asparagus farming in the Philippines is not common but for farmers who are supplying the big supermarkets, this vegetable is highly profitable. If you want to explore asparagus farming, keep reading.

Asparagus Farming History

The cultivation of asparagus is originally from Europe and is much appreciated for its flavor, its large number of nutrients, and its high fiber content. Asparagus can be prepared and added to many culinary dishes, so it has a very large acceptance among consumers. Here we want to help you plant Asparagus.

The asparagus is from the family of the Liliaceas, to which the garlic and onions also belong. The cultivation of asparagus is very grateful and is not a difficult crop. The production of asparagus can be extended for more than 10 years, therefore, it is a very profitable crop for your garden.

Planting Asparagus

To perform the asparagus planting, we advise you to use asparagus crowns, with the planting of these crowns you will get the asparagus harvest for up to two years compared to planting in seeds.

The best ground to plant asparagus crowns is a sandy floor. If you do not have a sandy floor, you can add some sand to your garden and mix it with the earth. The planting of the crowns is carried out in May at the start of the rainy season.

Before planting asparagus crowns, add to your orchards a good contribution of organic matter, such as earthworm humus, manure, or compost. Asparagus crowns are very productive in soils with a good contribution of organic matter.

With the ground well carved and the soil loose, you can already place the crowns of asparagus. To place the crowns, leave a separation between them between 30 to 50 cm, the more separate the crowns are, the diameter of the asparagus future will be bigger.

After placing the crowns of the asparagus on the ground to contribute and cover it with the Earth making a layer of earth of about 15 0 20 cms. Then water with abundance.

During the first year of growth of asparagus crowns, some farmers prefer to let it grow without cutting their stems so that the crowns can collect all the necessary nutrients in the growth of later years.

How to Harvest Asparagus

Collect the asparagus leaving two without cutting stems during the first two months of the send year.
After spending these first two months, let the plant grow for a month and a half. This will perform photosynthesis well.
Subsequently cut all the stems of the asparagus. When it grows again, leave two adult stems so that the plant can continue to perform photosynthesis and cut the tender stems for consumption.
The collection of the asparagus is done from June to September but can be a year-round harvest except during the hot summer.

The collection of asparagus in the later years is simple. It is only necessary to leave two stems without cutting and reaping the tender stems. It is convenient to stop collecting asparagus for a month during the dry season so that the roots can recover from the nutrients used.

To harvest the asparagus, a knife or scissors are necessary to perform the cut at the ground. After cutting, cover the hole with a little ground. Asparagus must be collected daily as it can grow more than 10 cm. The cutting of the asparagus is done when they have a height of between 15 and 20 cm. The ideal temperature for its growth is 15 to 20ºC.

Asparagus Farming Questions Answered

How long does it take asparagus to grow?

Although asparagus can be started from seed, the plants take 3 years to mature, so it is usually grown from 1-year-old crowns. However, the plant can be productive for 10 years or more, so it’s worth the wait. You can start planting as soon as the soil is workable in late winter or early spring.

Does asparagus grow in the Philippines?

Yes. TropiFresh began asparagus cultivation trials on the island of Mindanao in 1987. Commercial plantings were begun in 1990 and have expanded each year to 950 hectares in 1993 and 1,000 hectares the next year.

Where does asparagus grow in the Philippines?

Mass production of the crop is possible in tropical sites, but only a few people have gone into its commercial production outside of the traditional area. Growers are found in Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Quezon, Bukidnon, and Albay. A business venture in asparagus production could be very rewarding.

Is asparagus a good cash crop?

Planting new asparagus fields is expensive, and it can take experienced growers several years just to break even. Still, many mixed-crop farmers report that asparagus is their most profitable crop, so enterprising small growers can certainly find plenty of opportunity in the industry.

How many times can you harvest asparagus?

Early in the season, you might harvest 7- to 9-inch spears every two to four days. As air temperatures increase, harvesting frequencies will increase to once or twice per day. You can have up to 24 harvests per season, after which you can allow crowns to fern and grow out.

How many years can you harvest asparagus?

If you love asparagus and want to grow some yourself, waste no time in getting started. Even with the best of care, an asparagus bed won’t hit its stride for several years. But once that happens, the bed will produce an abundant crop of spears spring after spring for at least the next 20 to 30 years.

How many asparagus do you get per plant?

A mature stand of asparagus plants produces spears over several weeks, up to eight weeks. During this time, a healthy plant should yield around 20 spears.

Is asparagus fast-growing?

At the peak of the asparagus season, asparagus spears can grow up to 2 inches per day, producing bountiful harvests for gardeners to enjoy.

How profitable is asparagus?

In the Philippines, asparagus farming is considered profitable. California is the asparagus capital of the U.S., producing more than 90 million pounds annually from about 30,000 acres with a value of about $150 million.

Does asparagus need a lot of fertilizer?

Generally, it is not necessary to apply fertilizer for an established asparagus crop until after harvest. Delaying fertilization until after harvest can reduce early weed growth. For sandy coarse-textured soils, however, 20-25 lbs N/acre in the spring may be beneficial for spear development.

Why can’t you eat asparagus the first year?

Don’t harvest any asparagus spears during the first two years that plants are in the permanent bed because they need to put energy into establishing deep roots. During the third season, pick the spears over four weeks, and by the fourth year, extend your harvest to eight weeks.

How long do asparagus plants live?

With proper care and in the right environment, asparagus live for 7 years or more. What care do I provide for my asparagus in preparation for winter? After the fronds turn brown, remove them by cutting them off at the base.

Is chicken manure good for asparagus?

Asparagus likes full sun and a well-drained, deep friable soil that has had lots of well-rotted animal manure added to it. I like to dig a small trench about 20cm wide and 20cm deep. I then 1/2 fill it with a mixture of compost, cow, sheep, and chicken manure.