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When to Plant Asparagus in Lake of the Woods County, MN

Asparagus is a long-lived perennial vegetable that produces tender spears each spring for 15-20 years once established. It requires patience but rewards with reliable harvests.

Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 3a. The average last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost is September 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 126 days.

At an elevation of 1,032 feet, Lake of the Woods County receives approximately 32.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Asparagus to ensure they mature before fall.

Lake of the Woods County, MN (Zone 3a) Short season
126 days
Last Spring Frost May 19
126 growing days
First Fall Frost September 22

Lake of the Woods County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 17

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 228 gal / 100 sq ft
Asparagus needs ~9,125 GDD — county provides 1,260 GDD May not mature

Asparagus Planting Timeline โ€” Lake of the Woods County, MN

Asparagus Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 2 Jun 2 โ€“ Jun 16

Plant 1" deep ยท 30" apart ยท Rows 42" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Transplant Outdoors
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

730โ€“1095 days

Soil pH

6.5 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 3a

Growing Season

126 days

Growing Tips for Lake of the Woods County

Plant crowns in deep trenches with compost. Do not harvest spears for the first two years to allow root establishment. Mulch heavily to suppress weeds and retain moisture.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Garlic
  • Onion

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Asparagus in Lake of the Woods County, MN?

Lake of the Woods County is in Zone 3a with an average last frost of May 19. Plan your Asparagus planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lake of the Woods County, MN?

Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3a. The average last spring frost is May 19 and first fall frost is September 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lake of the Woods County gardeners in Zone 3a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Lake of the Woods County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.