Asparagus is a rewarding yet slow-growing perennial vegetable that can provide harvests for up to 20 years when properly established. Gardeners who want to grow asparagus are faced with an early decision: should they start from crowns or from seeds? Both methods have their advantages and drawbacks, and choosing the best option depends on your patience, budget, and gardening goals. This article compares growing asparagus from crowns versus seeds to help you decide which method is right for your home garden.
What Are Asparagus Crowns?
Asparagus crowns are one- or two-year-old dormant roots that are sold in bundles during the planting season. These crowns have already been started by commercial growers and are ready to be transplanted directly into the garden.
What Are Asparagus Seeds?
Asparagus seeds are exactly what they sound like—seeds harvested from mature asparagus plants. They’re planted just like any other vegetable seed but take a longer time to reach harvest maturity compared to crowns.
Growing from Crowns: Pros and Cons
Pros of Growing from Crowns
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Faster Harvest Time
One of the biggest advantages of planting asparagus crowns is that they shave off at least a year of waiting. While seed-grown plants usually take three years to begin producing a decent harvest, crown-grown asparagus can often start producing harvestable spears by the second year. -
Less Initial Maintenance
Since the plants have already developed a root system, they tend to establish more quickly in the garden. This makes early care and maintenance easier compared to delicate seedlings. -
More Predictable Results
Crowns are typically sold by reputable growers who select strong, disease-resistant varieties. This reduces the chances of plant loss or poor yields due to weak genetics. -
Ideal for New Gardeners
Because the crowns are more forgiving than seedlings, they are a better option for beginner gardeners who want reliable results without going through the trouble of raising seeds indoors.
Cons of Growing from Crowns
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More Expensive
Asparagus crowns are usually more costly than seeds. Since they’ve already been grown for a year or more, the price reflects the labor and time invested. -
Limited Variety Choices
The variety of crowns available is often limited compared to seeds. You may find yourself restricted to just a few common cultivars, whereas seed catalogs offer more diverse options. -
Short Planting Window
Crowns need to be planted while dormant, typically in early spring. If you miss this narrow planting window, you may have to wait until the following year.
Growing from Seeds: Pros and Cons
Pros of Growing from Seeds
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Cost-Effective
Seeds are much cheaper than crowns and can yield dozens of plants from a single packet, making this method ideal for gardeners on a budget or those wanting a large asparagus patch. -
Greater Variety Selection
Seed catalogs offer a wider array of cultivars, including heirloom and specialty types. This gives you the chance to select varieties with specific traits such as disease resistance, thicker spears, or better flavor. -
Longer Shelf Life
Asparagus seeds can be stored for a few years if kept in a cool, dry place, allowing for more flexible planting plans.
Cons of Growing from Seeds
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Takes Longer to Harvest
When growing asparagus from seed, you’ll typically need to wait three full years before harvesting any spears. This requires more patience and long-term commitment. -
More Labor-Intensive
Seeds usually need to be started indoors in late winter and transplanted to the garden after frost danger has passed. This adds extra steps to the growing process, including seedling care, hardening off, and transplanting. -
Higher Seedling Loss Risk
Young asparagus seedlings are fragile and prone to damping-off, transplant shock, or being outcompeted by weeds. This makes early growth a bit more challenging compared to crowns.
Which Method Is Right for You?
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Choose crowns if you want faster results, a simpler growing process, or are only planting a few asparagus plants.
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Choose seeds if you’re looking for cost savings, enjoy the seed-starting process, or want access to a broader selection of asparagus varieties.
Regardless of the method, remember that asparagus is a long-term investment in your garden. It requires initial patience but offers many years of productivity once established. Whether you choose crowns or seeds, proper planting depth, good soil preparation, and weed management are essential for success.
With the right care, your asparagus bed will reward you with delicious harvests for many seasons to come.
