How Many Asparagus Crowns Should I Buy for a Family of Two?

The right amount of asparagus to plant depends on how much you enjoy eating it.

Eight crowns provides a serving per week

Once fully established, asparagus crowns will produce about one half pound of spears each over an eight-week season. Since one serving of asparagus is about one-quarter pound, one serving of fresh asparagus per week per person requires eight asparagus crowns.

More than one serving can be a good thing

Some people like asparagus enough to have it more than once a week. Additionally, you can preserve asparagus by blanching and freezing. If you are considering either of these possibilities, more than eight crowns is a viable option.

Bottom Line

Eight crowns of asparagus is a reasonable baseline for a family of two to harvest and eat while fresh, but by no means should it serve as an upper limit.

References

• Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service: Growing Asparagus in the Home Garden
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Vegetable of the Month: Asparagus