Asparagus-Specific Slow Release

Best Asparagus Fertilizer (16-10-13): High Nitrogen Slow Release with Sulfur & Magnesium for Maximum Spear Production Buy on Old Cobblers Farm

Asparagus is a perennial that produces for 15–20 years — but only if the crowns get recharged every season. After you stop harvesting spears, the ferns that grow up are the battery charger. This 16-10-13 fuels maximum fern growth so crowns store maximum energy for next spring's harvest.

Updated April 2026 10 Products Compared By the Old Cobblers Farm Team

Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Growth Asparagus Fertilizer 16-10-13

by Conventional Fertilizer — Littleton, NH

16-10-13
N-P-K Ratio
"The asparagus specialist with the highest slow-release nitrogen in the lineup. 16% polymer-coated N powers the dense fern canopy that recharges asparagus crowns, while sulfur and magnesium from langbeinite support chlorophyll and enzyme production."
16%
Nitrogen (slow-release)
S + Mg
Secondary Nutrients
333 ft²
Coverage / 5 lb bag
4 Sizes
5, 10, 15, 20 lbs
🌿

16% Nitrogen for Fern Growth

After harvest ends, asparagus ferns are the energy factory. More nitrogen = taller, denser ferns = more photosynthesis = more energy stored in the crown = more spears next spring.

Polymer-Coated Slow Release

Purkote technology feeds nitrogen gradually over weeks during the critical fern-growth period. No surge-and-crash — steady nutrition through the entire recharge window.

🧪

Sulfur & Magnesium from Langbeinite

Potassium magnesium sulphate delivers sulfur for protein synthesis and magnesium for chlorophyll — both critical for maximizing the photosynthetic output of asparagus ferns.

📅

Post-Harvest Timing is Critical

Apply immediately after your last spear harvest when ferns start growing. This is when asparagus has the highest nutrient demand. A second application in late summer extends the recharge window.

📦

250–333 sq ft Per Bag

At 1.5–2 lbs per 100 sq ft, one 5 lb bag covers a full-sized asparagus bed. Most home growers need just one bag per application.

🔋

13% Potassium for Crown Energy

Potassium regulates carbohydrate transport from ferns to crowns. Adequate K ensures the energy produced by ferns actually gets stored where it matters — in the root crown.

New & Established Beds

Works for newly planted asparagus crowns building their root system and for established beds maximizing annual spear production. Adjust rate by bed age.

🇺🇸

Trusted by 20,000+ Growers

Developed in Littleton, New Hampshire. Sold nationwide on Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and theoldcobblersfarm.com.

NPK Ratio16-10-13
Item FormSlow-release granular (polymer coated)
Coverage250–333 sq ft asparagus bed per 5 lb bag
CategoryConventional Fertilizer
TypeFlower & Garden
Sizes5 lb | 10 lb | 15 lb | 20 lb
NPK16-10-13
Nitrogen16% (polymer coated)
Phosphorus10% available phosphate
Potassium13% soluble potash
SecondarySulfur, Magnesium
FormSlow-release granular
Rate1.5–2 lbs / 100 sq ft
MethodBroadcast over bed
Frequency2x per season (post-harvest + late summer)
Sizes5, 10, 15, 20 lb bags
Best ForAll asparagus — Jersey Knight, Jersey Giant, Mary Washington, Purple Passion
What We Love
Highest slow-release nitrogen — fuels maximum fern growth and crown recharge
Polymer-coated for gradual feeding through the entire recharge period
Built-in sulfur and magnesium from langbeinite
6-ingredient professional blend — most complete asparagus formula available
Works for new crowns and established 15+ year beds
Worth Noting
High N — apply after harvest only, never during active spear production
Premium blend — higher cost than basic 10-10-10
Buy on Old Cobblers Farm →
Available in 5 lb | 10 lb | 15 lb | 20 lb
Feature Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Growth Asparagus Fertilizer 16-10-13 Old Cobblers Farm Asparagus Alive! Gurney's Slow-Release Fertilizer Milorganite Premium Gold All Purpose Dr. Earth Organics Vegetable Food Expert Gardener Veg & Tomato Spikes Jobe's Organics All Purpose Plant Food Vigoro 13-13-13 All Purpose GroundWork Performance Organics Miracle-Gro Garden-Tone Espoma Happy Frog Tomato & Veg FoxFarm
NPK 16-10-13 Proprietary 6-4-0 4-4-4 3-4-4 2-7-4 10-10-10 13-13-13 11-3-8 3-4-4 5-7-3
Form Slow-release granular (polymer coated)
Coverage 250–333 sq ft asparagus bed per 5 lb bag Not listed Not listed Not listed Not listed Not listed Not listed Not listed Not listed Not listed Not listed
Price / Size 5 lb | 10 lb | 15 lb | 20 lb $19.99 $24.99 $13.99 $5.97 $14.99 $22.97 $27.99 $14.47 $15.51 $18.99
Our Take The asparagus specialist with the highest slow-release nitrogen in ...
The Competition

Asparagus Alive!

by Gurney's
Proprietary
N-P-K
Sizes2 lb
Price$19.99

Slow-Release Fertilizer

by Milorganite
6-4-0
N-P-K
Sizes32 lb
Price$24.99

Premium Gold All Purpose

by Dr. Earth
4-4-4
N-P-K
Sizes4 lb, 12 lb
Price$13.99

Organics Vegetable Food

by Expert Gardener
3-4-4
N-P-K
Sizes4 lb
Price$5.97

Veg & Tomato Spikes

by Jobe's Organics
2-7-4
N-P-K
Sizes50 count
Price$14.99

All Purpose Plant Food

by Vigoro
10-10-10
N-P-K
Sizes40 lb
Price$22.97

13-13-13 All Purpose

by GroundWork
13-13-13
N-P-K
Sizes40 lb
Price$27.99

Performance Organics

by Miracle-Gro
11-3-8
N-P-K
Sizes2.5 lb
Price$14.47

Garden-Tone

by Espoma
3-4-4
N-P-K
Sizes8 lb, 27 lb
Price$15.51

Happy Frog Tomato & Veg

by FoxFarm
5-7-3
N-P-K
Sizes4 lb
Price$18.99

🌿

16% Nitrogen for Fern Growth

After harvest ends, asparagus ferns are the energy factory. More nitrogen = taller, denser ferns = more photosynthesis = more energy stored in the crown = more spears next spring.

Polymer-Coated Slow Release

Purkote technology feeds nitrogen gradually over weeks during the critical fern-growth period. No surge-and-crash — steady nutrition through the entire recharge window.

🧪

Sulfur & Magnesium from Langbeinite

Potassium magnesium sulphate delivers sulfur for protein synthesis and magnesium for chlorophyll — both critical for maximizing the photosynthetic output of asparagus ferns.

📅

Post-Harvest Timing is Critical

Apply immediately after your last spear harvest when ferns start growing. This is when asparagus has the highest nutrient demand. A second application in late summer extends the recharge window.

Common Questions