Jersey Giant

Family: Asparagaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Jersey Giant to a garden.

Unfurling from the crown in towering spears, Jersey Giant delivers a lush, sweet snap with a tender, finely textured bite and a graceful, deep-green finish.

Expect thick, substantial stalks that hold their poise—ideal for showcasing as the star of the garden’s early harvest. Grow Jersey Giant for a long-lived stand that rewards patience with abundant, premium spears year after year.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 730 DaysHabit: Perennial_Crown

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Jersey Giant Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Apr 6th	Jun 1st	May 31st – Jul 15th
Zone 1b	Mar 23rd	May 18th	May 17th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Mar 16th	May 11th	May 10th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 6th	May 1st	Apr 30th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 6th	May 1st	Apr 30th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 10th	May 5th	May 4th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 6th	May 1st	Apr 30th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 4th	Apr 29th	Apr 28th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Feb 27th	Apr 24th	Apr 23rd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Feb 23rd	Apr 20th	Apr 19th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Feb 20th	Apr 17th	Apr 16th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Feb 14th	Apr 11th	Apr 10th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Feb 9th	Apr 6th	Apr 5th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Jan 30th	Mar 27th	Mar 26th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Jan 21st	Mar 18th	Mar 17th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Jan 12th	Mar 9th	Mar 8th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Dec 26th	Feb 20th	Feb 20th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 1st	Jan 26th	Jan 26th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	730
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Perennial_Crown
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Jersey Giant’s thick spears stay composed—poised for either a two-minute blanch or a hard, fast roast—without turning woody or stringy. Keep cooking tight to preserve that sweet snap; it’s the kind of asparagus that doesn’t need much, just buttered heat and a hit of acid.

Best Uses

hot blanch-and-chill for a crisp, snappy salad
quick sauté or high-heat roast to keep spears firm
lemon-butter pan sauce that clings to thick stalks
creamier preparations where thickness stands up to reduction

Flavor Profile

sweet, grassy snap tender core with a fine, not-stringy bite clean deep-green finish subtle bitterness if overcooked

Kitchen Pairings

lemon butter parmesan garlic olive oil eggs

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) like Jersey Giant, and how can I control it?

Asparagus beetles (adults and larvae) can strip spears and foliage; check plants weekly and hand-pick beetles when you first notice them. If infestations are heavy, spray an approved insecticidal soap or neem during calm weather, focusing on new growth, and remove badly damaged ferns at season’s end to reduce carryover.

How often should I water asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) during its main growing phase to keep soil moisture right?

During spear production, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week from rainfall plus irrigation is a good target. Aim for deep soaking so moisture reaches the crown and roots, then let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly before watering again to avoid rot.

How do I tell when Jersey Giant asparagus spears are ready to harvest?

Harvest when spears are firm and tight-tipped, typically 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) tall, with a thickness that is workable for your use. Start spears at the base and cut at soil level, and stop harvesting once the spears thin down and become more numerous than thick—then switch to letting ferns grow to rebuild root energy.