Crowns are produced by seeding in a nursery about two weeks before tomatoes are normally transplanted into the garden. Sow 3 to 4 seeds for each crown you want to plant in the permanent bed. The following spring, when the ground has thawed but the plants are still dormant, carefully dig the crowns to minimize damage to the root system, and immediately plant them in the permanent bed. Asparagus can be planted along a fence if there is plenty of sun. In fact, the beautiful fern-like foliage grows 5 to 6 feet high and can be used as an ornamental summer screen.
Female plants produce berries that become bright red in late summer and fall.
The tops turn from green to an attractive yellow in fall and brown during winter. If pH is below 6.0, include lime with the fertilizer. Plant crowns with the buds up in the bottom of a 6 inch deep V-shaped furrow, and cover with 1 to 2 inches of soil. Protect seedlings from water that may stand in the furrow and from soil that can wash into the furrow. Spacing for crowns and transplants is 12 inches apart within the row and 4 to 5 feet between rows.