Can established asparagus be moved?

[Ageing Rocker]

I have a small asparagus bed on land now required for other use. As Murphy's Law would have it, I had dutifully not harvested for three years as the crowns developed their strength and only cut for the first time this year. Now they have to move.
Does anyone have knowledge or experience of transplanting these little babies?
Thanks, AR

[Ageing Rocker]

[OliveOil]

Yes in April I believe is the best time to transplant asparagus.

[jennym]

Personally, I think that April may well be too late to transplant - they are starting to stick their heads up by then usually (on my plot anyway  :) )
I moved quite a few asparagus plants last December, whilst dormant, and they've come up ok this year. I did mark the positions with sticks though, before the greenery died right back, or it's hard to remember where exactly they are when you want to dig them up after they've died down.

[Curryandchips]

Would I be right in thinking that if you moved them, then you should rest them for a year, or would they still be ok to crop?

[grawrc]

I'm about to move some right now. And I have no intention of waiting another year before cropping.  ;)

[artichoke]

I agree with jennym that April is too late. Mine also start to show shoots in mid to late April, meaning that they are on the move before that. When I bought my 1 year crowns, they were sent out in early March and I planted them at once so that they did not dry out. I have never moved asparagus myself, but common sense suggests treating them as if they had just arrived from a reliable grower at the usual planting time.

And I would restrain myself once they came up! They are bound to need another year to settle in, I would think.....

[chappers]

transplant them anytime during their dormant period just be careful not to damage their roots too much and they should still crop fine the next spring/summer.

[Ageing Rocker]

Wonderful, just the answers I hoped for. Many thanks Olive Oil for your speedy reply and to all you others for your added thoughts and comments. December it is, then!

[weedin project]

Good question AR, and helpful answers from all.

Now I feel happy to consolidate my asparagus - I've got gaps in the row where some plants have died, and I was wondering if I could lift from one end and fill in the gaps.  Good news!
;D