1. Dig a trench
Asparagus crowns are planted below the soil level in a trench, called a furrow. The crowns are placed in the trench then covered with a couple inches of soil, but the trench isn't filled to the top (yet!). After the first shoots start to come through the soil, then the rest of the trench is filled.
- Sandy soil: 8-10" deep
- Silt and loamy soil: 8" deep
- Clay soil: 5-6" deep
- Consider planting the crowns in a double or triple row, where the rows are 12 inches (30cm) apart. In this case, dig 2 to 3 trenches, 12" apart on center.

2. Soak crowns

Right before planting, so the crowns in water for 30 minutes to an hour. Any longer and you might be risking some rot damage. This step helps hydrate the roots before planting even more than watering the soil (which you will also do after planting).

3. Plant crowns

Crowns are placed in the furrows head to toe (bud to root) 12" apart. There is no need to fan the roots out.
If you are only planting a single row, you can space the crowns as close as 6 inches (15cm) without lowering the yield.

4. Partially fill trench & water

After you plant the crowns, quickly cover them with a couple inches of soil before they dry out. Water the plants and soil in the trench.

As spears start to emerge from the ground about 2-3 weeks later, you will add another couple inches of soil. Continue until the entire trench is filled over the season.

5. Keep the bed weed-free

Keep weeds out of the asparagus bed. The roots need to get established and competition from weeds can significantly slow that down.

6. Lets plants 'fern out' (do not harvest this year!)

The first summer you plant asparagus, don't cut any of the spears. Let them 'fern out.' This lets the plant soak up the sun and convert it to energy for the roots, creating a strong, healthy plant.

Delaying harvest until next year helps the plant produce good quality spears in the future. Harvesting too soon (or too long in subsequent years) results in super skinny spears that are limp and thinner than a pencil.

7. Cut back dead ferns

Asparagus plants go dormant in winter and the above-ground ferns dry out and die back. Cut them down anytime after they have turned brown. Here are some considerations on the timing:

• Cut down in fall, as soon as they dry out: this can help remove overwintering asparagus beetles and diseases.
• Cut down in early spring: beneficial bugs that hang out in the ferns over winter are great food for migratory birds returning in spring.

Do not remove green ferns - as they are still alive and sending energy to the roots.