- 1). Prepare the soil the fall before planting by working in well-rotted manure or compost. Till the top 10 inches of soil and work in the organic matter. Asparagus likes a well-draining, sandy soil so add sand if the soil is too clay-like.
- 2). Plant asparagus seeds 1/2 inch deep and 2 inches apart when temperatures reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit and all chance of frost has passed. The asparagus are planted closely together the first year to encourage the growth of "stands," which are asparagus bases.
- 3). Water the asparagus regularly and do not allow them to dry out during the first year. Daily water will be necessary in dry climates.
- 4). Replant the asparagus the following spring by digging up each stand and planting them 1 foot apart with 5 feet between rows. Plant the roots 6 inches deep in trenches and cover with soil. Add more soil to cover the base of the plant as it grows.
- 5). Add well-rotted manure to the soil each spring at a ratio of 50 lbs. per 100 square feet. Apply 2 inches of manure to the top of the soil. It will act as a mulch, conserving water and reducing weeds as it breaks down and the nutrients enter the soil.
- 6). Harvest asparagus spears when they are 6 to 8 inches tall by snapping them off at the base. Harvest spears daily for 8 to 10 weeks during the harvesting period.