How to Grow White Spear

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White Spear

Asparagus officinalis

vegetable

White Spear is a white asparagus cultivar that produces pale, tender spears due to being grown under soil mounds or blanching. It has the same nutritional and flavor profile as green asparagus but with a milder, slightly sweeter taste and delicate texture. This perennial vegetable crop can produce for 15-20+ years once established.

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Example White Spear timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant White Spear
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest White Spear
Late summer into fall

Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact White Spear dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; partial shade tolerated but reduces yield

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Water: Consistent moisture, 1-1.5 inches per week; more during growing season; avoid waterlogging; reduce watering in fall to encourage dormancy

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Spacing: 12-18 inches between plants; rows 4-5 feet apart inches

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Days to maturity: 2-3 years from planting (no harvest year 1, limited harvest year 2, full harvest year 3)

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Planting depth: 8-10 inches deep for crowns; plant crowns in spring after last frost or in fall

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.5-7.5

Amendments:

Compost Aged manure Peat moss or coconut coir Phosphorus-rich fertilizer

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-8; can tolerate colder climates better than heat-sensitive varieties

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

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Growth Stages

Crown Establishment

Year 1

First year: developing root system; minimal spear production; ferny foliage grows to 3-4 feet tall

Plant high-quality 1-year-old crowns in well-prepared beds; do not harvest; allow foliage to grow and die back naturally in fall; mulch heavily

Early Production

Year 2

Second year: spears begin emerging in spring; plants develop stronger root systems; foliage reaches full height

Light harvest only (2-3 weeks); continue to allow full foliage growth; begin earthing up soil mounds if blanching for white spears; fertilize monthly

Active Harvesting

6-8 weeks annually

Third year onwards: vigorous spear production for 6-8 weeks in spring; thicker, more uniform spears emerge

Harvest spears when 6-8 inches tall by snapping or cutting below soil line; for white spears, hill soil 8-10 inches high as spears emerge; stop harvesting by early summer (late May/June) to allow plant energy recovery

Summer Growth

June-September

Post-harvest period: allowed spears develop feathery foliage (ferns); plants photosynthesize to store energy for next year

Let ferns grow fully; do not cut down until brown/dead; provide consistent water; fertilize mid-summer; monitor for pests

Dormancy

October-March

Fall/winter: foliage dies back; plants enter cold dormancy; underground crowns rest and prepare for spring

Cut down dead foliage in late fall; apply compost/mulch layer; reduce watering; allow natural cold period for proper dormancy induction

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Tomato Parsley Basil Marigold Nasturtium Carrot Onion

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Garlic Potato Allium species

Common Pests

Hand-pick beetles and yellow egg clusters; use neem oil; encourage parasitic wasps; allow chickens to forage in beds
Hand-pick; remove and destroy affected spears; use insecticidal soap; maintain garden hygiene
Remove affected spears immediately; use reflective mulch; apply spinosad if severe
Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; remove infected foliage; apply sulfur dust; choose disease-resistant varieties
Hand-pick in early morning; use Japanese beetle traps away from beds; apply neem oil; use beneficial nematodes for grubs

Uses

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Premium Vegetable

Culinary

White spears are prized in European cuisine, particularly in French and German cooking, valued for their delicate flavor and tender texture. They are excellent roasted, steamed, grilled, or served in asparagus-based dishes like asparagus soup or hollandaise preparations. [source]

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Nutritious Superfood

Culinary

Asparagus is rich in folate, vitamins A, C, K, and antioxidants; contains glutathione which supports detoxification and may have anti-cancer properties. Both white and green varieties offer similar nutritional benefits. [source]

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Diuretic & Digestive Support

Medicinal

Historically used in traditional medicine to support kidney and liver function; the inulin content promotes beneficial gut bacteria and digestive health. Asparagus has been valued in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for centuries. [source]

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Ornamental Foliage

Household

The delicate, feathery fern-like foliage in summer provides attractive garden texture; dried asparagus ferns are popular in floral arrangements and dried flower crafts. Late-season seed heads add winter garden interest. [source]

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Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Support

Wildlife

Asparagus flowers (on plants left unharvested) attract bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects; provides early-season pollen and nectar when few other plants are blooming. Supports parasitic wasps that prey on asparagus beetles. [source]

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

Harvest Tips

Begin harvest in year 3 when spears reach 6-8 inches tall and have tight buds; harvest daily during peak season (6-8 weeks); snap or cut spears just below soil line; for white spears, heap soil around emerging spears to block sunlight (blanching) - this prevents chlorophyll formation and keeps spears pale and tender; stop harvesting by early June to allow plant recovery; use sharp knife to minimize crown damage; harvest in early morning for best crispness and flavor

Fun Facts

🌱 White asparagus requires laborious blanching (earthing up soil) to prevent chlorophyll formation, making it more labor-intensive and expensive to produce than green asparagus; a single spear can be worth $2-5 in European markets.
🌱 Asparagus is a perennial vegetable that can be harvested from the same bed for 15-20+ years, making it one of the longest-producing garden crops; some asparagus beds have remained productive for over 50 years.
🌱 Eating asparagus produces a distinctive sulfurous odor in urine within 15-30 minutes of consumption due to the breakdown of asparagusic acid; interestingly, not everyone possesses the genetic ability to smell it, making it a fascinating example of 'asparagus pee syndrome'.

Gardening Terms

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

Compost Crown Cultivar Full Sun Mulch Partial Shade Perennial pH

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