Asparagus Seeds

Asparagus Seeds for Planting: A Perennial Bed That Pays Off for Years

Plant asparagus once and you can be harvesting fresh spears every spring for well over a decade. Our collection of asparagus seeds offers two open-pollinated varieties for gardeners who are happy to play the long game: one heirloom classic and one modern favorite. Starting from seed costs far less than buying crowns, and it gives you the chance to raise a whole bed of strong, vigorous plants for the price of a couple of packets. Asparagus isn't a container crop, so plan on a permanent, sunny spot with well-drained soil.

Asparagus Seed Varieties: Mary Washington and UC-157

Mary Washington is the classic American asparagus, an heirloom with long, deep green spears and a reputation for resisting rust and other common problems. It has been a standard in home gardens for generations. UC-157 is a productive, widely grown selection that suits gardeners in milder climates, where it keeps going through long growing seasons. Both are green asparagus, both are perennial, and both do best in full sun. Growing the two side by side is an easy way to see which one your soil and climate favor.

Growing Asparagus from Seed: A Slow Start Worth the Wait

Growing asparagus from seed asks for patience. Soak the seed overnight to soften the coat, then sow indoors about ten to fourteen weeks before your last frost, keeping the mix warm. Germination takes roughly two to three weeks and sometimes longer, and the seedlings spend their first season building roots and feathery fern rather than spears. Move them to their permanent bed once frost has passed. The listings in this collection show two to four years to maturity, so skip harvesting the first two years and begin cutting lightly in year three. Tracking a crop that stretches across several seasons is easier with the Seedtime garden planning software, which builds a planting calendar around your frost dates, and the garden journal lets you record the year each bed was planted so you know exactly when it's ready.

Buy Asparagus Seeds with One Shipping Charge

When you buy asparagus seeds here, you can add seeds from multiple suppliers to the same order and pay one flat shipping charge, or qualify for free standard shipping on Seedtime-fulfilled orders of $49 or more to the lower 48 states. Paid Seedtime members get 20% off seed packets marked "Fulfilled by Seedtime" and 5% off everything else in the store. You can start planning for free, and if you want unlimited calendars and layouts along with those store discounts, compare Seedtime's plans to find the right fit. Whether you're browsing asparagus seeds for sale for a small family bed or both varieties for a bigger planting, it all ships together.