Can You Plant Store Bought Asparagus

Yes, you can plant store bought asparagus, but there’s a big difference between planting the spears you buy at the grocery store and planting asparagus crowns or seeds.
 
The asparagus you see bundled in the produce section is the edible shoot of the plant, and those spears won’t grow into new plants if you stick them in the ground.
 
However, you can plant store bought asparagus crowns if you find them at a garden center or online retailer, and those will grow into productive plants.
 
You can also plant store bought asparagus seeds, though they’re less common in stores than crowns.
 
In this post, we’ll explore whether you can plant store bought asparagus, what works and what doesn’t, and how to get started correctly.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

Can You Plant Store Bought Asparagus?

Can you plant store bought asparagus?
 
The short answer is yes, but only if you’re planting crowns or seeds, not the fresh spears from the grocery store.
 
Here’s what you need to know about each option.
 

1. Grocery Store Spears Won’t Grow

The asparagus spears you buy at the grocery store are harvested for eating, not for planting.
 
They’re cut from the crown and have no roots or growing points.
 
If you put a store bought asparagus spear in soil, it will simply rot.
 
You cannot plant store bought asparagus spears and expect them to grow into new plants.
 

2. Store Bought Crowns Can Be Planted

Asparagus crowns are one-year-old roots that you can plant in your garden.
 
Many garden centers and online nurseries sell asparagus crowns, and you can plant store bought asparagus crowns successfully.
 
These crowns will produce spears for years if you plant them correctly.
 
So when people ask “can you plant store bought asparagus,” they’re usually thinking of crowns.
 

3. Store Bought Seeds Are Another Option

You can also plant store bought asparagus seeds, though they’re harder to find in regular stores.
 
Seeds take longer to establish, often adding a year or two before you get a harvest.
 
But if you find asparagus seeds, you can plant store bought asparagus seeds and grow your own crowns over time.
 

How to Plant Store Bought Asparagus Crowns

If you’ve decided to plant store bought asparagus crowns, here’s how to do it right.
 

1. Choose the Right Spot

Asparagus is a perennial, so pick a spot where it can grow for 15 to 20 years.
 
Full sun and well-drained soil are essential.
 
Avoid areas where water pools, as soggy roots will kill your plants.
 

2. Prepare the Soil

Work compost or aged manure into the soil before planting.
 
Asparagus loves rich, loose soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5.
 
Good preparation now means healthier plants later.
 

3. Dig Trenches

Dig trenches about 12 inches wide and 6 to 8 inches deep.
 
Space rows 3 to 4 feet apart.
 
This gives the roots room to spread.
 

4. Plant the Crowns

Set the crowns in the trench with the roots spread out and the bud pointing up.
 
Cover them with 2 to 3 inches of soil.
 
As shoots grow, gradually fill the trench with more soil.
 

5. Water and Mulch

Water deeply after planting.
 
Add a layer of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
 
Keep the area consistently moist but not soaked.
 

Can You Plant Store Bought Asparagus From Seeds?

Yes, you can plant store bought asparagus seeds, but it takes patience.
 
Start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost.
 
Soak seeds overnight before planting to improve germination.
 
Plant them in seed-starting mix and keep the soil warm.
 
Transplant seedlings outdoors once they’re several inches tall.
 
It will take 2 to 3 years before you can harvest spears from seed-grown plants.
 

Common Mistakes When Planting Store Bought Asparagus

Even when you plant store bought asparagus correctly, mistakes can happen.
 

1. Planting Grocery Spears

This is the biggest mistake.
 
Store bought asparagus spears will not grow.
 
They have no roots and no buds.
 

2. Planting Too Shallow

Crowns need to be planted deep enough to develop strong roots.
 
Shallow planting leads to weak, spindly plants.
 

3. Harvesting Too Soon

Don’t harvest in the first year.
 
Let the plants establish.
 
Harvest lightly in the second year, then fully in the third.
 

4. Overwatering

Asparagus hates wet feet.
 
If the soil stays soggy, the crowns will rot.
 

So, Can You Plant Store Bought Asparagus?

You can plant store bought asparagus, but only if you’re planting crowns or seeds, not the fresh spears from the grocery store.
 
Store bought asparagus spears won’t grow, but crowns and seeds will if you plant them correctly.
 
With the right conditions, you can plant store bought asparagus and enjoy a harvest for years.
 
Hope this post has helped you understand whether you can plant store bought asparagus and how to get it right.