How to Grow White Asparagus

White asparagus is sweeter and milder than green asparagus. White asparagus isn't a special variety, it actually comes from the same plants as green asparagus. To achieve white asparagus, green asparagus plants must be kept away from sunlight during the growing process. See details below.

• Select one or two rows to convert to white asparagus, while allowing the remainder of the bed to grow into green asparagus.
• Once green asparagus tips are first seen popping through the soil in these selected rows, mound soil or mulch loosely on top of plants six to eight inches deep.
• Plants will continue to push up asparagus spears attempting to break through the mounded soil. Once spears are observed starting to crack through the soil or mulch mounds, the white spears will need to be harvested.
• To harvest the spears, loosen the added soil or mulch from the tops of the selected asparagus plants using a sharp knife. Cut white spears close to the root crown.
• When harvesting has been completed, carefully recover root crowns with a normal amount of soil (omitting the additional six to eight inches).