What To Know
- We will cover topics such as when to transplant asparagus, how to prepare the new planting site, and how to care for your transplanted asparagus plants.
- If you must transplant asparagus during the growing season, be sure to do so on a cloudy day and water the plants thoroughly before and after transplanting.
- When transplanting asparagus, be sure to plant the crowns of the plants at the same depth as they were planted before.
Asparagus is a perennial vegetable that is known for its delicious spears and its ability to produce for many years. However, there may come a time when you need to transplant your asparagus plants. Perhaps you are moving to a new home, or maybe you want to rearrange your garden. Whatever the reason, it is important to know how to transplant asparagus successfully.
In this blog post, we will discuss everything you need to know about transplanting established asparagus. We will cover topics such as when to transplant asparagus, how to prepare the new planting site, and how to care for your transplanted asparagus plants.
When to Transplant Asparagus
The best time to transplant asparagus is in the spring or fall. This is when the plants are dormant and less likely to be stressed by the move. If you must transplant asparagus during the growing season, be sure to do so on a cloudy day and water the plants thoroughly before and after transplanting.
How to Prepare the New Planting Site
Before you transplant your asparagus plants, you need to prepare the new planting site. The site should be well-drained and have a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. You should also till the soil to a depth of 12 inches and add compost or manure to improve the soil fertility.
How to Transplant Asparagus
To transplant asparagus, you will need to dig up the entire plant, including the roots. Be sure to dig up as much of the root system as possible. Once you have dug up the plant, you can transplant it to the new planting site.
When transplanting asparagus, be sure to plant the crowns of the plants at the same depth as they were planted before. You should also space the plants 18 to 24 inches apart.
How to Care for Transplanted Asparagus Plants
After you have transplanted your asparagus plants, you need to care for them properly. This includes watering the plants regularly, fertilizing them every few weeks, and controlling weeds.
You should also mulch around the plants to help keep the soil moist and suppress weeds.
Common Problems with Transplanting Asparagus
There are a few common problems that you may encounter when transplanting asparagus. These problems include:
- Transplant shock: This is a condition that occurs when plants are stressed by the move. Symptoms of transplant shock include wilting, yellowing leaves, and stunted growth.
- Root rot: This is a fungal disease that can attack asparagus plants. Symptoms of root rot include wilting, yellowing leaves, and stunted growth.
- Asparagus beetles: These pests can damage asparagus plants by eating the leaves and stems.
How to Prevent Problems with Transplanting Asparagus
There are a few things you can do to prevent problems with transplanting asparagus. These things include:
- Choose healthy plants: When selecting asparagus plants for transplanting, choose plants that are healthy and vigorous.
- Prepare the new planting site properly: Before transplanting asparagus, be sure to prepare the new planting site properly. This includes tilling the soil, adding compost or manure, and adjusting the pH if necessary.
- Transplant the plants carefully: When transplanting asparagus, be sure to dig up the entire plant, including the roots. Be sure to plant the crowns of the plants at the same depth as they were planted before.
- Water the plants regularly: After transplanting asparagus, be sure to water the plants regularly. This will help to prevent transplant shock and root rot.
- Fertilize the plants every few weeks: Asparagus plants need to be fertilized every few weeks to produce healthy spears.
- Control weeds: Weeds can compete with asparagus plants for water and nutrients. Be sure to control weeds by mulching around the plants or by hand-weeding.
Asparagus After Transplant: What to Expect
After transplanting asparagus, you can expect the plants to take a few weeks to recover. During this time, the plants may wilt or yellow. This is normal and should not be cause for alarm.
After a few weeks, the plants should start to recover and produce new growth. Within a year, the plants should be fully established and producing a good crop of asparagus spears.
Alternatives to Transplanting Asparagus
If you are not able to transplant your asparagus plants, there are a few alternatives that you can consider. These alternatives include:
- Growing asparagus from seed: Asparagus can be grown from seed, but this process is time-consuming. It can take up to three years for asparagus plants grown from seed to produce spears.
- Purchasing asparagus crowns: You can also purchase asparagus crowns from a nursery or garden center. Asparagus crowns are the roots of asparagus plants. When you plant asparagus crowns, you can expect the plants to produce spears within a year.
Information You Need to Know
1. Can you transplant asparagus in the summer?
Yes, you can transplant asparagus in the summer, but it is not ideal. The best time to transplant asparagus is in the spring or fall. If you must transplant asparagus in the summer, be sure to do so on a cloudy day and water the plants thoroughly before and after transplanting.
2. How do you transplant asparagus crowns?
To transplant asparagus crowns, dig a hole that is large enough to accommodate the roots of the plant. Place the crown in the hole and backfill with soil. Water the plant thoroughly.
3. How long does it take for transplanted asparagus to produce spears?
It takes about a year for transplanted asparagus to produce spears. However, the plants may take a few weeks to recover from the transplant, so you may not see any spears until the following year.
