How do I get my asparagus to spread?

Question

I planted asparagus at least 10 years ago. It comes up each year, and I am able to harvest the healthy shoots that are there, but the crop size is about the same each year. How do I get the plant(s) to spread out, so my harvest can increase each year? It's presently just a round clump of stalks, about 9-12" in diameter, and stays the same each year. All the pictures I see of asparagus patches show rows or large areas of plants, and I just seem to always have one clump!

Answer 1

I have an asparagus patch too. I don't think it spreads much on it's own the way some other perennials do. I would recommend purchasing more plants if you want a larger harvest. You could try dividing what you have, but then you will have to wait a couple of years to harvest again.

Answer 2

When I moved into this place there some here already in the yard so id like to know too.  the guy who lived here before was a award winning gardner and all he said was to top off the containers (he had them growing in cat litter buckets) with manure in the fall.  But I didnt really get enough all at once to make a meal.

This is gonna sound dumb but do you have female plants too. I looked it up and it says the female plant send up new shoots

Answer 3

First off, you only want male plants. The females are not nearly as productive.

Until they reach maturity, each year your harvest should increase a little, but they will not really "spread" like you're expecting. Since it's been 10 years, your asparagus should be fully mature. Asparagus harvest multiplies when the roots grow strong enough to continue producing more stalks after you cut, not by spreading out in area.

Are you leaving some of the ferns to grow throughout the summer? This is how the roots grow stronger. You need to stop harvesting when the stalks are noticeably thinner and allow them to grow out. Keeping them well watered and fertilized.

If you want to extend the size of your asparagus bed you'll need to buy more crowns.

Answer 4

funny you ask this cuz im gonna start growing myself . im ordering the root online and it says they will spreed every year so im gonna be asking that soon to . try looking up online im gonna good luck