Gardeners have been growing asparagus (Asparagus officinalis)
for more than 2,000 years, and this sweet, slender veggie’s
staying power is no surprise: A well-maintained asparagus bed
will start bearing one year after planting and will stay
productive for 10 to 15 years. A hardy perennial adapted in
Zones 3 to 8, asparagus grows best in well-drained soil with a
near-neutral pH between 6.5 and 7.5. The edible part of the
asparagus plant is the young stem shoot, which emerges as soil
temperatures rise above 50 degrees Fahrenheit in spring. Types
to Try Because asparagus stays productive for so long, it’s
important to plant the best variety available for your area. In
cold climates, ‘Guelph Millennium’ and other varieties that
emerge late often escape damage from spring freezes. In warm
climates, early, heat-tolerant varieties such as ‘Apollo’ and
‘UC-157’ produce well before the weather turns hot. Gardeners in
Zones 4 to 6 have a wider selection of varieties, including
‘Jersey Giant,’ ‘Jersey Knight’ and other