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How to Grow Asparagus 'Argenteuil'

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Asparagus 'Argenteuil'

Asparagus officinalis 'Argenteuil'

vegetable

Argenteuil is a classic French heirloom asparagus variety prized for its thick, tender spears with purple-tinged tips and excellent flavor. This perennial vegetable crop produces prolifically for 15-20 years once established. It is a robust, disease-resistant cultivar that has been grown commercially for over 150 years.

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Example Asparagus 'Argenteuil' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Asparagus 'Argenteuil'

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Asparagus 'Argenteuil'

    Late summer into fall

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Asparagus 'Argenteuil' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 8+ hours daily; minimum 6 hours for adequate production
💧
Water: Regular watering; 1.5-2 inches per week during growing season. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering after harvest in late summer.
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Spacing: 18 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 1095-1460 days (3-4 years before full production)
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Planting depth: Crown 6-8 inches deep when planting crowns; seeds planted 0.5-0.75 inches deep

Soil

Type: Well-draining sandy loam to loamy soil
pH: 6.5-7.5
Amendments:
Compost or well-rotted manure (2-3 inches worked in) Perlite or coarse sand for drainage Bone meal for phosphorus

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 3-8; requires winter dormancy for productivity

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a

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Growth Stages

1

Establishment Year 1

Full growing season (spring to fall frost)

Fern-like foliage emerges from crown; no harvesting; plants develop root system. Delicate green fronds with feathery texture.

Allow all spears to grow into mature ferns; do not harvest. Keep soil moist. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch. Remove any weeds that compete with young plants.

2

Year 2 - Limited Harvest

8-10 weeks (partial harvest period)

More vigorous fern growth; thicker spears emerge in spring. Ferns reach 3-4 feet tall. Some spears ready for light harvest.

Harvest lightly for 2-3 weeks only; stop by early June to allow fern development. Continue weeding and watering. Apply balanced fertilizer in spring.

3

Year 3+ - Full Production

8-10 weeks per spring season, indefinitely

Thick purple-tipped spears emerge abundantly in spring; robust fern growth follows harvest. Mature crowns produce 1-2 lb of spears per plant per year.

Harvest spears 6-8 inches tall when tips are tight; cut 2-3 inches below soil surface. Harvest for 8-10 weeks in spring until spears thin (late May/early June). Apply compost and mulch annually in fall.

4

Senescence & Dormancy

June through first frost; dormancy through winter

After harvest, ferns grow tall and feathery (3-5 feet), providing ornamental value. In fall, ferns yellow and die back as plants enter winter dormancy.

Allow ferns to photosynthesize fully to fuel root reserves. Cut back dead ferns to ground level in late fall or early spring before new growth. Do not harvest any spears in summer or fall.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Parsley Basil Tomato Carrot Lettuce Spinach Borage Chamomile

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Garlic Onion Potato Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli)

Common Pests

  • Hand-pick beetles and egg-laden spears; spray neem oil in early morning; encourage predatory insects; remove plant debris where eggs overwinter

  • Similar to asparagus beetle; hand-pick; neem oil applications; remove damaged ferns in fall

  • Remove affected spears below damaged area; clean up plant debris; avoid overhead watering; apply spinosad if infestation severe

  • Ensure excellent drainage; avoid overwatering; plant crowns in well-draining soil; remove and destroy severely affected plants; use certified disease-free crowns

  • Improve drainage with perlite and sand; avoid waterlogging; mulch to regulate soil moisture; remove affected plants

Uses

🍳

Fresh vegetable cooking

Culinary

Argenteuil spears are tender, succulent, and mildly sweet with subtle nutty flavor. Ideal for grilling, roasting, steaming, or sautéing; holds firm texture better than many varieties when cooked. [source]

🍳

Canning and preserving

Culinary

Thick spears are excellent for canning whole or in bundles due to their structural integrity. Can be pickled, frozen, or processed for long-term storage. [source]

💊

Diuretic and detoxification

Medicinal

Contains glutathione and asparagine, compounds traditionally used to support liver function and act as a natural diuretic. Often recommended in cleanse protocols. [source]

🏠

Ornamental fern landscape

Household

Mature asparagus ferns provide delicate, feathery foliage that can be left standing as a garden accent or privacy screen before being cut down in fall. [source]

🍳

Fine dining and gourmet preparation

Culinary

Heirloom Argenteuil variety is favored by chefs for its superior flavor profile, thick spears, and purple coloring. A hallmark of French cuisine and farmers market premiums. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest spears when 6-8 inches tall with tight, closed tips. Cut 2-3 inches below the soil surface using a sharp knife or asparagus knife angled at about 45 degrees. Harvest in early morning when spears are crisp. Begin harvesting in year 3. Peak production occurs years 4-10. Always stop harvesting by early June (around last spring frost date plus 8-10 weeks) to allow ferns to develop and restore root reserves. A mature bed can produce for 15-20 years with proper care.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Argenteuil is named after a region near Paris, France, where it was developed in the 1870s and became the commercial standard for European asparagus production.
  • 🌱 A single mature asparagus plant can live and produce for 15-20 years, making it one of the longest-producing vegetables in a home garden—some crowns have been documented producing for 30+ years.
  • 🌱 Asparagus was so prized in Renaissance Europe that Louis XIV of France had special heated greenhouses (asparageries) built to extend the harvest season year-round.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Annual Compost Crown Cultivar Full Sun Heirloom Mulch Perennial pH
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