If you want to grow asparagus in your yard this year, you should know how big they will grow. That way, you can estimate how many plants you’ll need and how much space you’ll need ahead of time.
So, what is the maximum size of an asparagus plant? Asparagus spears may reach heights of up to 7 feet (2.1 meters)! The spears, on the other hand, are taken for eating when they reach a height of 6 to 10 inches (15.2 to 25.4 cm), just before they begin to resemble ferns.
The spread of an asparagus plant is 2 to 3 feet (61 to 91 centimeters) above ground. An asparagus plant’s crown and the root system can reach up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) in length and 15 feet (4.5 meters) in depth.
Naturally, the quality of your asparagus (assuming you get any at all!) is determined by how well you care for your plants.
In this post, we’ll look at asparagus in more detail and see how tall these fascinating plants may grow.
We’ll also go through frequent asparagus queries, ideal growing conditions, and maturity times. Let’s get started.
How Tall Does Asparagus Grow
Asparagus plants can produce spears up to 7 feet (2.1 meters) in length. They do, however, begin to produce blooms and fruit long before they reach this height.
Above ground, an asparagus plant can stretch up to a width of 2 to 3 feet (61 to 91 centimeters).
The buried crown and roots can reach a diameter of 6 feet (1.8 meters) and a depth of 15 feet (4.5 meters).
The asparagus plant’s long life is aided by its large root system. Asparagus plants can last for 10 to 15 years, as per the University of New Hampshire Extension (or longer.)
The spears get tougher and more fibrous as they grow in size. This makes them tough to consume, so pick them as soon as possible!
Asparagus spears are usually harvested when they reach a height of 6 to 10 inches (15.2 to 25.4 centimeters).
Asparagus is best harvested by snapping the spears slightly underneath the soil surface, as per the University of Maryland.
If you wait too long, the spears will get too hard to harvest and will have to be trimmed. Even worse, if they are harvested too late, they will be impossible to eat.
Read also: How Fast Does Asparagus Grow In A Day
How Do You Know When To Harvest Asparagus?
Asparagus spears should be harvested when they are 6 to 10 inches (15.2 to 25.4 cm) tall. This usually denotes spears with a thickness of at least 0.5 inches (1.3 cm).
Depending on how quickly the plant grows, this means collecting asparagus spears every 1 to 3 days on average. As per Virginia Tech, every 10 feet of asparagus plants will yield 3 to 4 pounds of asparagus.
Cut off the spears underneath the soil when harvesting. Cut them with a knife if needed. Make sure to keep the spears you’ve harvested cool.
Asparagus should be used as soon as possible after harvesting because it does not store well.
Read also: How Many Asparagus Plants Per Person
Why Are My Asparagus Spears So Skinny & Thin?
There are a few reasons why your asparagus spears are skinny:
Because the plant is still young, the spears are narrow due to the immaturity of the asparagus plant. (This can be seen in the first two years after seeding or the first year after crown transplanting.)
In the last year, you harvested an excessive number of spears. Because the plant’s energy stores were depleted last year, it will produce fewer and thinner spears this year. (This is more common in younger plants, although established plants can still be over-harvested, especially if they are malnourished.)
The ferns from the previous year did not store any energy. Last year’s asparagus ferns were not allowed to develop large enough to manufacture and store energy (carbohydrates) in the roots. (If the ferns are cut too soon, this can happen.)
It’s time to call it quits on the harvesting. Asparagus spears bloom widely during the start of the season when they are full of vigor. Due to depleting energy sources, the spears become thinner as the season progresses.
Asparagus spears can become spindly and thin due to a variety of reasons, including:
- Water scarcity
- Sunlight deficiency and nutritional deficiency
- Soil texture is poor.
