Robert and I have attempted to grow asparagus for 26 years. We actually started our first seeds during the Blizzard of 1993! We have grown white, green, and purple asparagus. We have been successful by most standards; however, our success came with great cost. Thousands of crowns have been replanted over the years which involved thousands of hours of back-breaking labor. After much contemplation, we have come to the conclusion the WNC winters do not get cold enough to make for the best asparagus growing environment. Also, the many drought years were devastating to the crowns. And, there is the damage done by the wily asparagus beetles–who were thrilled to find asparagus growing on our farm. From where did they arrive?! Is there an app for that?
We have reached acceptance and relinquishment when it comes to growing asparagus. Now we are letting go . . . as a wise man once said attachment is suffering! If you want to try and grow asparagus, we wish you the best of luck. We are not experts and have no secrets to offer. What we have learned is some crops are best left to the farmers in the far north states. Also, one must be comfortable with uncertainty in the garden. Sometimes proper planning and preparation simply is not enough when working in Nature with Nature.
Yes, “asparagus” is in our family farm business name and it will remain as a part of our legacy since asparagus is the first crop we marketed. However, the “& Company” represents the other nearly 90 vegetable varieties we attempt to grow most every year.
Below is a video which gives an excellent description of growing asparagus. Remember this when you purchase that low-priced, “loss leader” asparagus in the grocery stores each spring!
Cane Creek Asparagus & Company CSA 