Connover's Colossal

Family: Asparagaceae Vegetable

Tender spears of Connover’s Colossal emerge with a regal, deep-green sheen and a satisfying snap, building a sweet, grassy flavor that feels unmistakably fresh from the garden.

This vigorous, long-producing asparagus is prized for its thick, substantial diameter and clean, upright spear form—ideal for showcasing in the season’s earliest harvests and for repeat picking through the peak window. Grow it for a dependable stand that rewards patience with abundant, succulent spears and a beautifully feathery fern-like presence in the bed.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 109 DaysHabit: Perennial_Crown

Botanical illustration of Connover's Colossal

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Aug 12th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	109
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Perennial_Crown
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	40
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Connover’s Colossal delivers thick spears with a confident snap—great when you want asparagus to feel substantial, not delicate. Treat it like a grill/char vegetable (or a fast blanch) so the sweet, grassy bite shows up front while the tips stay pleasantly tender.

Best Uses

quick-steam or blanch-and-finish for maximum crunch
hot-griddle or charred roast spears where the outside browns before the center goes soft
shaved asparagus with a lemony vinaigrette to keep it snappy
creamy pasta or risotto where the spears hold shape instead of collapsing

Flavor Profile

sweet, grassy snap clean vegetal sweetness tender-yet-meaty spear bite

Kitchen Pairings

lemon butter parmesan olive oil eggs garlic

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Asparagus officinalis (Connover’s Colossal), and how can I stop it?

Asparagus commonly suffers from asparagus beetles and also from fungal spears/crown diseases in damp weather. Hand-pick adult beetles and their larvae when you see them, and remove/clear spent fern growth at the end of the season to reduce overwintering sites. If spears show rot or soft tissue after emerging in wet conditions, improve drainage, avoid watering the crown from above, and promptly cut out and discard affected spears (don’t compost).

How often should I water Connover’s Colossal asparagus during its main growing season?

During the main spear-producing season, keep soil evenly moist so emerging spears can push up through the ground—about 1–1.5 inches of water per week total from rain and irrigation. Water deeply 1–2 times per week rather than lightly each day, and stop irrigation once spears are no longer being harvested so the crowns can firm up going into fern growth. Mulch helps hold moisture evenly around the established crowns without saturating the crown area.

How do I know when Connover’s Colossal asparagus is ready to harvest?

Harvest when spears are thick and firm, typically about 6–8 inches tall for home beds, before the tips begin to open or loosen. Use a knife to cut spears at ground level daily during the peak harvest window, usually starting around spring as days warm and plants resume active growth. Once the spears become noticeably thinner for several days, or tips start spreading, shift from harvest to letting ferns grow for the season’s next energy storage.