Nothing tastes as good as fresh grown asparagus from your own garden, but to do it right you won’t get to taste any till the second year after you have planted it.
When you plant your asparagus you will want to plant about twice as much as you think you will want in a year. Dig your trench away from other plants that you don’t want shaded by the asparagus.
Plant in soil that is well drained and plan on adding compost to it to make sure it is full of nutrients.
The first year do not pick any of the asparagus, this will ensure you get a good root base for your plants. (Keep in mind this asparagus can produce for over 15 years so it is worth the wait.)
The second year resist temptation and just harvest 3 or 4 of your thickest clumps. In your third year and beyond harvest until about half your crop left is less than the thickness of a ball point pen.
Each spring you will get more tender asparagus if you mound a bit of compost enriched soil over the trench, about 1/2 inch is sufficient.
Many people ask about white asparagus, the trick to that is to keep it from the sun. When it starts sprouting up, gradually add light compost enriched soil over the top of it to block it out. Continue this until it is time to harvest, and then gradually remove the soil.