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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: grepmonkey on March 01, 2009, 19:39:45

Title: Asparagus - which supplier?
Post by: grepmonkey on March 01, 2009, 19:39:45

Hi,

Im in the market for some asparagus crowns. I saw the post re cheap crowns from parkers, but other threads have put me off using parkers.

Can anyone recommend a good supplier?

Thanks

Title: Re: Asparagus - which supplier?
Post by: saddad on March 01, 2009, 20:15:26

Sorry, grew mine from seeds...  :-X

Title: Re: Asparagus - which supplier?
Post by: SMP1704 on March 01, 2009, 20:28:03

ordered mine from here

http://www.asparagus-in-kent.co.uk/

but they haven't arrived yet - not expected for another few weeks, not particularly cheaper (but not more expensive) than most other suppliers.

I chose them as asparagus is all they do........

Title: Re: Asparagus - which supplier?
Post by: lewic on March 01, 2009, 20:33:33

Wilko are selling them for £2. No idea what quality is like though..

Title: Re: Asparagus - which supplier?
Post by: Suzanne on March 01, 2009, 20:43:24

I got mine from Marshalls and they have been fine.

Title: Re: Asparagus - which supplier?
Post by: greenstar on March 01, 2009, 20:56:16

Blackmoor nurseries were the cheapest I could find and seem to be excellent quality - planted them last year and they all came up.

Title: Re: Asparagus - which supplier?
Post by: Norfolk n Proud on March 01, 2009, 22:04:08

Hi there, i got Millenium & Purple Pacific from Moles Seeds in Essex, they worked out at less than a pound each, but i did buy 25 of each! Depends on how many you want.  :)

Title: Re: Asparagus - which supplier?
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on March 01, 2009, 23:14:39

I've tried Wilkos and garden centres, and got nothing because the plants were rubbish. The asparagus in Kent site is the place to go. I had some from them last year, and there was a world of difference.

Title: Re: Asparagus - which supplier?
Post by: Natsb on March 01, 2009, 23:17:25

I just got 20 crowns from Parkers last week- they seem absolutely fine - much healthier than the ones in the shops. I planted them out this weekend ;D.

I was also very happy with their raspberries, but disappointed with their fruit bushes which were a bit battered and spindly  :-\.

The 'free' plug plants were practically dead but have sprouted again nicely.

I think at the price thier arparagus is worth going for...

Title: Re: Asparagus - which supplier?
Post by: shirlton on March 02, 2009, 07:42:19

Quote from: saddad on March 01, 2009, 20:15:26

Sorry, grew mine from seeds...  :-X

  How long would they take to get to an edible size Saddad growing them from seed

Title: Re: Asparagus - which supplier?
Post by: tonybloke on March 02, 2009, 07:59:04

Marshalls! ;)

Title: Re: Asparagus - which supplier?
Post by: saddad on March 02, 2009, 08:33:12

Three years Shirl... one to germinate and grow on in pots, one to get roots down in permanent bed and then you're off with a light crop... in the third year.
Grew Convers Collossal, still going strong...  :)

Title: Re: Asparagus - which supplier?
Post by: pippy on March 02, 2009, 11:59:19

I am planning to try to grow them from seed this year, Saddad!   I have a few seeds from a cavalier expedition to moreveg for free p&p (!) and thought it would be an interesting experiment.

Please may I ask - did you start them in soil or compost in your pots?  What size were the pots, and when did you set them ?(I'm thinking April at the mo.).  Were they in a greenhouse or outside?

I'm curious as the info I found on the web said to sow them direct.  I'd value your advice!

Title: Re: Asparagus - which supplier?
Post by: saddad on March 02, 2009, 12:06:14

Started in trays with 24 cells, using multi purpose compost, inside a plastic bag. April in an unheated greenhouse then transferred to a cold frame... potted up into 3" pots at start of July. Put out into prepared bed the following Spring..  :)

Title: Re: Asparagus - which supplier?
Post by: pippy on March 02, 2009, 12:12:56

Thanks SD ....  I'm going to follow your advice RELIGIOUSLY!!  (Any advice on gods of Asparagus to pray to will also be welcomed  ;D ;D).

I thought about getting crowns, but I am still deciding where to site permanent beds for it and what another season to get the soil weedfree!  And there is a bit of a romantic nutter in me who likes to have grown things from seed!! ;) ;D

Title: Re: Asparagus - which supplier?
Post by: saddad on March 02, 2009, 12:20:02

Make sure you do get all the weeds out, I had to replant all mine after I was poorly and couch crept back into the bed..  :(

Title: Re: Asparagus - which supplier?
Post by: pippy on March 02, 2009, 16:02:20

Thanks.  This is my third year at the plot and you know what they say about seven years weeding from 1 years seeding ....!

Title: Re: Asparagus - which supplier?
Post by: Barnowl on March 03, 2009, 10:03:06

Anyone tried the Seeds of Italy Wild asparagus?