Yes, you can order online. As for planting time, check with your state's Extension Service. Each county should have it's own Cooperative Extension Office which provides free publications and information for the asking. They will have valuable vegetable/gardening tables available specifically for your area determined by universities and horticultural research scientists who have collected data from growing those crops in your state. Your tax dollars are already paying for this service so you may as well get some use out of it.

Vegetable Planting and Planning Calendar for Missouri (download the pdf) complete with spring and fall planting dates (underneath the spring planting dates for appropriate crops), how much to plant per person, etc. They can also tell you the average last frost date for your area and ideal planting times for specific crops and varieties in your area.

See how detailed this example is:

{{gwi:4005}}

Hi Jenny,

You said: "We're moving to KS in Aug/Sept, so I want to know if I can start my patch then, or do I need to wait for spring/summer."

Short answer...you really need to wait until Spring. Sorry, but you'll be disappointed if you choose otherwise, for at least two reasons.

1/ You'll find it almost impossible to find viable, quality crowns later than about March or April, possibly as late as May. The growers gear their production for this period of delivery, for good reason. (see #2)

2/ New 'gus crowns need the warmth and moisture of Spring to get a healthy start. Crowns (even if you could find them) would almost surely succumb to rot if planted in the near-Fall, with the colder temps arriving so soon.

I certainly understand your excitement about finally getting your own 'gus bed started, but pleast wait and do it when you stand a chance of success. I'll offer you a link below. Go to the Home Growers section....much good advice there.

Happy 'gus growing, Jenny!

Hal

Here is a link that might be useful: Jersey Asparagus Farms

Hi Jenny,

Another recommendation - get 2 year old crowns if you can. I planted a row of 1 year, and a row of 2 year and there is a significant difference in how tall and vigorous the 2 year crowns are looking. I found the 2 year crowns online at daisyfarms.net but I'm sure there are other places as well.

I agree with the others - early spring is the best time to plant. I lost a whole row of crowns I planted too late - they were somewhat stagnant in the bag to begin with, and then the heat of summer just toasted them. I'm sure they wouldn't have liked cold fall rains either while they were trying to get established.

Good luck!

Tas

Agree - spend the fall getting the bed ready for them then order your crowns in the spring and plant them then. You can go with 1, 2 year, or even 3 year old crowns for a bit extra and harvest that much sooner. I personally recommend the Jersey King crowns for great production. Enjoy! ;)

Dave

Disappointed as I am, I understand the need to wait. I went to the county extension office and read about improving the bed in the fall, so I'll content myself with that (for now!!).

Thanks for the good advice!
Jenny