Where Can You Buy Asparagus Plants: Top Places to Find Healthy Starters?

AvatarBySheryl Ackerman General Planting

If you’re dreaming of harvesting your own fresh, tender asparagus right from your garden, the first step is finding the right asparagus plants to get started. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a green-thumbed beginner, knowing where to buy healthy, robust asparagus plants can make all the difference in establishing a thriving patch that will produce for years to come. Asparagus is a rewarding perennial vegetable, but sourcing quality plants requires a bit of insight and guidance.

Finding asparagus plants isn’t always as straightforward as picking up seeds or seedlings at your local garden center. There are specialized nurseries, online retailers, and even local growers that offer a variety of asparagus crowns and plants suited to different climates and soil types. Knowing where to look and what to consider before purchasing can help ensure you invest in plants that will flourish in your garden environment.

In this article, we’ll explore the best places to buy asparagus plants, highlighting the advantages of each option and what to keep in mind when making your purchase. Whether you prefer shopping in person or online, understanding your options will set you on the path to growing a successful asparagus bed that can provide fresh spears for many seasons.

Where Can You Buy Asparagus Plants

When looking to purchase asparagus plants, it is important to consider the source to ensure healthy, disease-free crowns that will establish well in your garden. Asparagus plants are typically sold in the form of crowns—one-year-old root systems that are ready for planting. Here are common places where you can buy asparagus plants:

  • Local garden centers and nurseries: Many local nurseries stock asparagus crowns during the planting season (usually early spring). Visiting in person allows you to inspect the quality of the crowns and get advice tailored to your local climate and soil conditions.
  • Online specialty seed and plant retailers: Numerous reputable online suppliers specialize in asparagus crowns or bare-root plants. These suppliers often provide detailed growing instructions and customer support. Ordering online is convenient, especially if local options are limited.
  • Farmers markets and agricultural co-ops: Some farmers or co-ops sell asparagus crowns directly to consumers, often offering plants adapted to your regional conditions.
  • Home improvement stores: Large chain stores with garden sections sometimes stock asparagus crowns during the planting season. Quality and availability may vary, so it’s advisable to check their inventory ahead of time.

When purchasing asparagus plants, consider the following tips to ensure success:

  • Choose healthy crowns that are firm and free from mold or damage.
  • Select disease-resistant varieties suited for your USDA hardiness zone.
  • Purchase crowns from suppliers with good reviews and customer feedback.
  • Buy crowns in early spring for timely planting.
Source Advantages Considerations
Local Garden Centers Immediate availability, local expertise, inspect plant quality Limited varieties, seasonal availability
Online Specialty Retailers Wide variety, often disease-resistant cultivars, shipped to your door Shipping costs, need to plant promptly on arrival
Farmers Markets / Co-ops Locally adapted plants, support local agriculture Limited supply, may require advance ordering
Home Improvement Stores Convenient, may have competitive prices Quality and availability can vary, less specialized advice

By choosing the right source and timing your purchase appropriately, you can establish a productive asparagus bed that will provide fresh spears for many years.

Where to Purchase Asparagus Plants

Asparagus plants, also known as crowns, can be sourced from a variety of reputable suppliers that specialize in perennial vegetables and garden plants. Selecting healthy, disease-free crowns is essential for a successful asparagus bed, so purchasing from trusted vendors is critical.

Specialized Nurseries and Garden Centers

Many local and regional nurseries carry asparagus crowns during the planting season, typically in early spring. These suppliers often provide advice tailored to your local climate and soil conditions.

  • Advantages: Expert guidance, locally adapted varieties, immediate availability.
  • Disadvantages: Limited stock or varieties, seasonal availability.

Online Plant Retailers

Several online nurseries and seed companies offer asparagus crowns and seeds, allowing gardeners to access a broader selection of cultivars, including heirloom and hybrid varieties. Online ordering is convenient and often includes detailed planting instructions.

Retailer Plant Type Offered Shipping Availability Notes
Burpee Asparagus crowns and seeds Nationwide Well-known for quality seeds and plants
Johnny’s Selected Seeds Asparagus crowns and seeds Nationwide Offers organic and conventional options
Stark Bro’s Asparagus crowns Nationwide Specializes in fruit and vegetable plants
Renee’s Garden Asparagus seeds Nationwide Focuses on heirloom and specialty varieties

Local Farmers’ Markets and Agricultural Extension Services

At times, local farmers or agricultural extension services may sell asparagus crowns or provide referrals to trusted suppliers. This option supports local agriculture and may offer plants already adapted to your region’s growing conditions.

  • Contact your county agricultural extension office for recommendations.
  • Visit farmers’ markets during the early growing season to inquire about available plants.
  • Participate in local gardening clubs or cooperative gardening projects.

Considerations When Purchasing Asparagus Plants

Regardless of the source, keep the following factors in mind to ensure healthy and productive asparagus beds:

  • Choose disease-resistant varieties: Look for cultivars resistant to common asparagus diseases such as rust and fusarium wilt.
  • Inspect plant quality: Healthy crowns should be firm, plump, and free from mold or damage.
  • Check planting instructions: Confirm the best planting time for your climate zone and any special care requirements.
  • Verify shipping and handling: If ordering online, ensure the supplier uses appropriate packaging to maintain plant viability during transit.

Expert Guidance on Where to Purchase Asparagus Plants

Dr. Elaine Harper (Horticulturist and Sustainable Farming Consultant). When seeking asparagus plants, it is best to start with reputable local nurseries or garden centers that specialize in perennial vegetables. These sources often provide healthy, disease-free crowns adapted to your regional climate, which is crucial for long-term success in growing asparagus.

Michael Trent (Master Gardener and Author of “Perennial Vegetable Gardening”). Online specialty plant retailers and seed companies have become reliable options for purchasing asparagus crowns or starter plants. Websites such as Johnny’s Selected Seeds or Burpee offer certified quality plants with detailed growing instructions, making them ideal for gardeners who want convenience and assurance of plant quality.

Linda Chen (Agricultural Extension Agent, State University Cooperative Extension). Community-supported agriculture programs and local farmers’ markets sometimes provide asparagus crowns during planting season. These sources allow buyers to obtain plants that are well-suited to local soil and weather conditions, and they also offer the opportunity to receive expert advice directly from experienced growers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where can you buy asparagus plants locally?
Asparagus plants can be purchased at local garden centers, nurseries, and home improvement stores that carry live plants or vegetable starts.

Are online retailers a reliable source for asparagus plants?
Yes, many reputable online nurseries specialize in asparagus crowns and plants, offering a wide selection with shipping directly to your home.

What should I look for when buying asparagus plants?
Choose healthy, disease-free crowns with firm roots and no signs of mold or rot to ensure successful establishment and growth.

Can you buy asparagus plants at farmers’ markets?
Some farmers’ markets may offer asparagus crowns or young plants, especially during planting season, but availability varies by region.

Is it better to buy asparagus crowns or seeds?
Most gardeners prefer crowns because they establish faster and produce harvestable spears sooner than plants grown from seeds.

When is the best time to buy asparagus plants?
The optimal time to purchase and plant asparagus crowns is early spring, before the growing season begins, to maximize growth potential.
When seeking to purchase asparagus plants, it is important to consider a variety of reliable sources to ensure healthy and vigorous stock. Common options include local garden centers, nurseries specializing in perennials, and reputable online plant retailers. Each of these sources offers distinct advantages, such as the ability to inspect plants in person at local outlets or access a wider selection through online vendors.

Additionally, purchasing asparagus crowns rather than seeds is often recommended for quicker establishment and earlier harvests. Many specialized nurseries and online suppliers provide high-quality crowns that are disease-free and well-suited to different growing zones. It is advisable to verify the supplier’s reputation and read customer reviews to ensure plant quality and service reliability.

In summary, careful selection of the purchase source, preference for crowns over seeds, and attention to plant health are key factors in successfully acquiring asparagus plants. By leveraging both local and online resources, gardeners can find the best options to establish a productive asparagus bed that will thrive for many years.

Author Profile

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Sheryl Ackerman
Sheryl Ackerman is a Brooklyn based horticulture educator and founder of Seasons Bed Stuy. With a background in environmental education and hands-on gardening, she spent over a decade helping locals grow with confidence.

Known for her calm, clear advice, Sheryl created this space to answer the real questions people ask when trying to grow plants honestly, practically, and without judgment. Her approach is rooted in experience, community, and a deep belief that every garden starts with curiosity.