Seeing the link, with the asparagus crowns reminded me of when I bought my asparagus crowns. I'd just got the allotment, we'd cleared it, and I was off to Italy - again. One of the main reasons I got the lottie was to grow asparagus. I didn't know you could buy crowns, thought it was all grown from seed. So when I was staying with my cousin I went to the garden centre, and asked for asparagus seed. The lady said, sorry, no seed but picked up a pitchfork and said follow me. I followed her, and she dug 20 crowns for me. That and 55 pansy flowers in pots cost 32 euros. I then had to transport the crowns back from Tuscany to Milan, keep them cool and damp (but not freezing) and then back to UK and into the allotment. I resembled a bag lady (not your typical Milanese). I love that asparagus.
