Establishment failures of asparagus caused by Phytophthora rot were controlled effectively with metalaxyl (Ridomil MZ72) applied as a dip at a concentration of 300 mg metalaxyl/litre to crown transplants before planting. Dipping crowns was more effective than applying metalaxyl as an in-furrow treatment after transplanting and covering the crowns with soil. Metalaxyl was more effective than phosphorous acid solutions or solutions of captan and benomyl for controlling Phytophthora-related establishment failures. Seedling transplants, which were planted later in the spring than crowns, were an effective way of avoiding the cool, wet conditions that favour Phytophthora rot during establishment.