Rainline Garden

When to plant asparagus in Forks, WA

Plant asparagus crowns in Forks Apr 1 – May 13.

Moderate Plant dormant crowns

Why these dates

Forks's typical last spring frost is April 20. As a hardy perennial, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. On the coast, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about April 1.

Coast. Mild winters but cool, foggy summers. Frost is rarely the problem; warmth is. Pick early, cool-tolerant varieties of tomatoes and squash.

Difficulty
Moderate
Sun
Full sun
Spacing
12 to 18 inches apart
Planting depth
In a trench 6 to 8 inches deep, covered gradually as the spears grow
Frost
Hardy perennial; comes back every year
First harvest
Light picking in year two; full harvests from year three

Step by step

  1. Pick a sunny spot with soil that drains well, and mix in an inch or two of compost.
  2. Plant asparagus crowns Apr 1 – May 13, 12 to 18 inches apart. In a trench 6 to 8 inches deep, covered gradually as the spears grow.
  3. Fill the trench in gradually as the shoots grow. Keep the bed weeded, and cut the ferns down only after they turn brown in fall.
  4. Harvest: Snap spears at soil level when they're 6 to 8 inches tall. Stop picking when new spears are pencil-thin, and let the ferns grow.

Varieties that do well here

  • Jersey Knight
  • Millennium
  • Purple Passion

Watch out for

Asparagus beetles chew the spears and ferns. Hand-pick them in the morning.

A bed that produces for 15 to 20 years. Don't harvest the first year, pick lightly the second, then fully from year three.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Forks, WA?

Typically April 20. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 10. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Quillayute Airport.

Is it too late to plant asparagus in Forks?

The spring planting window runs through May 13. Potted plants can still go in later if you water them faithfully through their first summer. Fall planting also works well here.

How long until I can pick asparagus?

Light picking in year two; full harvests from year three. Snap spears at soil level when they're 6 to 8 inches tall. Stop picking when new spears are pencil-thin, and let the ferns grow.

Also plant in Forks around the same time

Planting dates for asparagus in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Forks · Asparagus in every city