Asparagus

[tim]

Can't find where we spoke about this before - praising Victoriana Nurseries for various things, like being organic, having asparagus always available, having funny repeat heading caulis etc.
DO hope no one has had the problems with them that I've had.

The main thing is that, out of 40 asparagus plants, skillfully planted, only 6 survived. The nursery is most unhelpful. Humble apologies, should I have led anyone up the garden path. = Tim

[tim]

[Sarah-b]

That's just too bad Tim.
I'm planning on getting some crowns from The Organic Catalogue (HYDRA) - or should I stick with T&M (is more expensive better?

Sarah.

[Kerry]

 >:(how cross making, Tim.
don't suppose you know the reason for their demise, or can hazard a guess? So low a survival rate would definately raise questions. perhaps a copy of your/subsequent emails would shame them?!

[tim]

Sarah - you'll be going for standard crowns with every chance of survival. Mine were out-of-season babies, but I was glad to get them.
Kerry - haven't a clue - nor have they. Have written to the firm

Supplier? I always stick to truly British firms - like HDRA, who value support for their research. = Tim

[Kerry]

good luck! let us know if they redeem themselves!

[Wicker]

Tim I was part of the discussion re Victoriana Nurseries and after your posting re 1 year plants I ordered 10 from them.  9 have come on beautifully tall 2ft/3ft ferns!  Only 1 hasn't shown a fern and later I may get at that with the trowel to see if there is any sign of growth underneath.  Can't comment on service otherwise but delievery and condition were excellent on arrival with me.

Sorry to disagree - but then maybe not as I am happy with my results (just the luck of the draw maybe or beginners luck as I#ve never grown them before?) and happy too that you "led me up the garden path"  ;)

[tim]

Delighted to hear it - no disagreement.
Do you recall whether they all had shoots on on arrival?

And how about telling us your method?? = Tim

[Wicker]

Can't swear they had shoots but pretty sure they did certainly healthy wee roots. (I'm never positive about anything).  dug over ground adding good amount of own compost, dug trench about 8 or 10 ins deep more of own compost in and just laid the wee crowns on the mixture, covered, scattered growmore and when the first ferns appeared put compost round each.  Kept liberally watered and well weeded. Nothing fancy, no manure.  Beginners luck I expect Tim - anyway they've a long time to go before I can harvest any.

[salad muncher]

Had good result from Asparagus which I brought from Wilkinsons six crowns all came up back there in January to get more.

[tim]

Remember that the Vic ones are straight out of modules - very different to your usual 2-3 year-olds. = Tim

[jo2]

I was disappointed as they were extremly small. Photos I've seen of one year old crown roots ready for planting showed fairly large root systems-these were midget.  They have survived but I wouldn't buy as modules again as they are still very wimpy tiny plants and I have doubts about them being big enough for cropping in two years.  I knew they were module grown but I thought it would be a larger size module for asparagus. My own fault-I won't order unseen again without asking more detailed questions about size.