Amazing Asparagus : Growing In A Scottish Climate

Guest post blog by Katrina & Clayton

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is a perennial vegetable that thrives in well drained, fertile soils and can produce delicious spears for up to 20 years. In the cool, damp climate of Scotland, asparagus may require a bit of extra care to establish well, but once it’s settled, it can be a great addition to your garden space.

Growing Asparagus in Scotland

Asparagus is a hardy plant that can grow well in the Scottish climate, provided it has the right conditions. It prefers a sunny location sheltered from harsh winds, which is especially important in the exposed areas of Scotland’s coastal areas.

The biggest challenge is ensuring good drainage, as asparagus crowns can rot in waterlogged soils, especially during wet winters. Raised beds are often an excellent solution, lifting the plants above heavy soils and improving drainage.

Asparagus grows slowly in its first few years as it establishes its deep root system. Patience is key; while you can harvest lightly in the third year, full harvests begin around the fourth year. After that, you can enjoy up to two decades of reliable crops.

The most prized part of the asparagus plant is the tender spear, which emerges from the soil in spring. In Scotland, the harvest typically begins in late April or May and continues until midsummer. Spears should be cut when they’re about 15–20cm tall and before the tips start to open.

Planting Asparagus

Planting asparagus in Scotland is best done in early spring, once the soil has started to warm and is workable. While asparagus can be grown from seed, it’s usually better to plant one year old crowns, which are young roots that have already had a year of growth. This approach gets you off to a faster start and avoids some of the challenges of growing from seed in cooler climates.

Choose a sunny, sheltered site that you will be happy for it to be a permanent place for them to grow for decades and prepare the soil well in advance. Remove all perennial weeds, as they can compete with young asparagus plants and are difficult to remove once the asparagus bed is established.

Dig a trench about 30cm wide and 20cm deep. In the bottom of the trench, create a mound compost, topped with some of the excavated soil. This will give the young crowns a nutrient rich base.

Space the crowns about 30–45cm apart in the trench, spreading their roots out like a fan. Cover them with 5–8cm of soil, firm gently and water in well. As the shoots begin to emerge, continue to fill in the trench with soil until it’s level with the ground. This gradual filling encourages strong growth and well developed roots. Caledonian Green Goodness will work well for this. 

Pruning Asparagus

Pruning asparagus is a simple but vital part of keeping the bed productive and healthy. Asparagus produces tall, feathery fronds called ferns once the harvesting period is over. These ferns are crucial because they photosynthesise and feed the roots, storing energy for the following year.

At the end of the growing season, usually around late autumn in Scotland, the ferns turn yellow and die back. Once they’ve completely died down, cut them back to about 2.5cm above the soil level. This keeps the bed tidy, reduces the risk of disease, and encourages the crowns to focus on root growth over winter.

Never prune the ferns during the growing season unless they’re diseased or damaged. Healthy ferns are essential for robust future harvests.

Caring for Asparagus

Asparagus is relatively low maintenance once established. During the first two years, focus on removing weeds by hand or with a hoe, being careful not to damage the shallow roots. Mulching with compost or straw can help keep weeds down and retain moisture.

Water young asparagus beds regularly, especially during dry spells. Established beds are more drought tolerant, but a dry spring can reduce spear production.

Companion Planting

Companion planting with asparagus can help reduce pests and improve yields. In the Scottish climate, it’s particularly useful to interplant with species that deter common pests or attract beneficial insects.

Good companions for asparagus include:

Parsley and basil: Both herbs can help repel asparagus beetles.

Marigolds: Their bright flowers attract pollinators and beneficial insects, which help keep pests at bay.

Strawberries make an excellent companion for asparagus because they have shallow root systems that won’t compete with the deep rooted asparagus crowns. Their short roots help suppress weeds, acting as a living mulch and conserving moisture in the asparagus bed. Strawberries also provide an additional harvest of berries during summer, complementing the delicious asparagus spears in spring. This pairing maximises space and promotes biodiversity in your garden, creating a more resilient and productive growing environment. Just ensure the strawberries don’t crowd the asparagus crowns, maintaining air circulation for both crops.

Avoid planting alliums like garlic and onions near asparagus, as they may compete for nutrients and space.

Asparagus is a wonderful perennial vegetable that rewards patience and careful soil preparation. In the Scottish climate, it’s entirely possible to grow a productive asparagus bed that will provide you with tender, delicious spears for decades to come. 

Katrina & Clayton

Katrina & Clayton live with their family in East Ayrshire in Scotland and share their daily life in the garden on instagram @buildingfoodforest_scotland. They practice permaculture principles, reducing & repurposing waste whenever they can. Katrina shows how home educating in nature has helped Clayton thrive.

Clayton Completed The Grow and Learn Course with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society in 2022. This year he will be completing Level 2 Nurture Course. Clayton is 16, Autistic, Non Verbal & has been Home Educated for the last 6yrs. Both Katrina and husband Peter have studied the Permaculture Design Course PDC and PDC Pro over the last 5yrs, developing their garden from grass to an ongoing food forest.

They have featured on BBC Beechgrove Gardens, Gardeners World Magazine and write for Scotland Grows Magazine.  Katrina has a series of children’s story books out following the life of Clayton in the garden. Available at Amazon.

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