Asparagus

[Gazfoz]

I am just getting down to the soil on my 1st lottie and am now starting to think about what is going to go where.
I would like some asparagus but only I like the stuff in my family so how many crowns do I need? how much space between the crowns and how do I prepare the soil for them.
Any other advice would be gratefully received.

Gary.

[Gazfoz]

[saddad]

We have a bout two dozen... which was enough for me and OH but now the boys have decided they like it so we need more.. about 12-15 per person seems ideal to me..
8)

[beckydore]

blimey. I've only bought 4 crowns.

[calendula]

you need a sunny but not exposed site - dig a trench about 6-8 inches deep and about 12 inches wide, put some well rotted manure in the bottom, cover with some of the soil then build up a kind a ramp in the middle to lay out your crowns on about 12 inches aprt, cover with the rest of the soil so the tips are just showing and then mulch with more well rotted manure, keep them watered and weed free - keep adding to them each year as this will extend the life span of harvesting

[artichoke]

I put in 20 four years ago, in two rows. I'm the only one who really likes it, but I love giving it away and I eat an enormous amount in the season! I am a great believer in the Dutch all male hybrids.

[Gazfoz]

Thanks for those suggestions,

So am I right in thinking that I plant the crowns, leave for a few years and then pick the spears when they come up and they will continue to produce for how long?
Also will spears be produced at all in the first few years and if so why not harvest.
This is getting confusing.

[Kea]

Yes aren't those members of the family who say they don't like something annoying when they change their minds >:(
I put in 10 crowns as my husband claimed to not be 'fussed', now 3 years on he's changed his mind and eagerly awaiting the first harvestable spears......and he'll be telling me shortly that I didn't plant enough ::)

[Suzanne]

Asparagus is a perennial crop which produce spears, as these grow they become the ferns. They need the ferns to ensure that the roots are big enough to support the plant through the winter and future crops.

Don't harvest for the first couple of years so that the roots have a proper chance to establish and grow big enough for future cropping. You may be able to crop lightly in the third year - but on recommendation from this site I only took two spears per crown last year. I am anticipating a full four week crop this year.

:)

[steveuk]

I only have 2,  :D

[Gazfoz]

Thanks Suzanne for that.
I have a much clearer picture in my head now.

Gary.

[Vortex]

An asparagus bed is on my list of things to-do this year. I've already sowed all my seed and have a nice selection of seedlings developing. I'm looking to have 40 crowns ready to plant this time next year.
We like Asparagus!
It's worth noting that when planting you should plant two types one early cropping and one late cropping. I've picked Martha Washington and Convers Collossal - partially because they're not F1 and can be grown from seed.

[Robert_Brenchley]

I've ordered Ginjlim and Backlim, but they haven't arrived yet.

[Gazfoz]

How long do the plants produce for before they need to be replaced?

[pako]

i planted mine out last year this yeay they will be 3 yrs old,so have put in another lot of seed for another row.hopefully.

[Vortex]

20 years - as long as you look after the bed. Idealy it should be mulched in the autumn and hand weeded. If you let any of the perenial nasties in then the only way to eliminate them is to start again.

[artichoke]

Ginjlim and Backlim are exactly what I have, and I'm very pleased with them. They arrived 8th March 2002, and I put them in the next day. Good luck with yours.