Asparagus

[caroline7758]

I planted new asparagus crowns two weeks ago. The instructions said to cover any new shoots with soil, but when I went to the plot yesterday two shoots about 2" high had shot up. Should I attempt to cover these or just leave them?

[caroline7758]

[BAK]

caroline7758,

the usual instructions for planting asparagus crowns talk about the use of a trench. At the end of planting the crowns are 10cm or so down the trench and you then put about 5cm of soil on top. This still leaves the soil in the trench 5cm below the level of the surrounding soil. As the shoots appear you gradually add soil to cover them until the level of the soil in the trench is the same as the surrounding soil.

If that is all as clear as mud have a look at these instructions - there are several around on the web ...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingasparagus1.shtml

[caroline7758]

Yes, I did all that! But I see it says "Succulent spears may appear soon after planting, but avoid the temptation to harvest them or you'll weaken the crowns" so I guess that means I can leave them?

[BAK]

The crowns need time to build up their strength. So absolutely no picking this year.

Some people may pick a small amount next year (say for two weeks or so). I personally left them and did not pick any until the following year.

An asparagus bed can last for 20 years so you have to treat them gently early on until they get fully established ... it's a long term project I am afraid.

[cleo]

Yes it is a long term project. Mine have grown well this year but still one year away from cropping. I want to move eventually but I guess it could be another year before the house is ready to sell/sells.

Do crowns transplant? Seems a shame to have waited five years from seed to maturity only to get one harvest

[small]

I moved my asparagus bed wholesale, it was about 5 years old, it was fine, that was 20 years ago and it's having the best year ever......

[PurpleHeather]

These are difficult for a lot of reasons.

Firstly they need a specially prepared bed which is expensive to do properly

Yes year one (even two)  they should be left to establish decent roots. No picking.

Year two, they grow at a different rate so today you have two or four decent to pick.
A couple of days later the ones you left to wait for more, to make a meal have gone over and the next few are up.

I have tried them and personally I think that they take up too much room to make them viable.  The bed needs weeding and that is a pig trying to avoid treading on new and established growth .


However I know some one else who spent a fortune on preparing their bed properly to start with and they do a get decent crop for the short season of Asparagus.

It is worthwhile if you have a huge area to devote to them and are prepared to spend on the development of that area

Alan Titchmarsh thinks it is worth while and this is his recommendation

http://www.alantitchmarsh.com/index.htm?ac=FJZU4-Q

The area should be long and wide. to give you a short distance to reach in to weed yet not too wide so you have to walk on it and disturb plant growth. To give you a daily harvest of enough on a regular basis for enough for a meal daily during the short growing season.

Good luck. I love the veg but will buy them when in season as and when I want them.
My choice. You make yours.

[diggerrick]

hi,i have about a dozen small asparagus plants growing in a seed tray that was brought from pound land,i will need help on what to do with them when they need planting out, if they can be planted this year?any advice anyone.thanks

[grawrc]

You'll need to pot them up as they grow and meantime prepare the asparagus bed for them. Most important thing is to ensure it is weed free (especially of perennial, nasty weeds, so better to keep potting up while you get the bed weed free). Raised beds are good  - but not essential - since asparagus likes free draining soil. Once you have got most of the weeds out incorporate lots and lots of well rotted manure. If you have heavy clay soil it could be a problem because it doesn't warm up fast enough or drain well, so if that's what you have you'll need to work hard at improving the drainage and lightening the soil.
Plant them out when your asparagus bed is ready unless they are dying back when I would keep them till next spring.

[artichoke]

I don't find asparagus difficult at all, or expensive, and I think the effort is well worth it! I have grown it in various places for over 40 years, and my latest bed is about 7 years old and very productive.

I wouldn't say it is expensive to prepare the bed - thorough and deep digging plus all the manure and home-made compost you can lay your hands doesn't cost much. Twenty plants in a double row are more than enough - not a huge area at all. I have two permanent paths down the outsides of the double rows (which are also useful for seeing to neighbouring crops), so there is no need to worry about treading on new growth.

I like to have lots of it in its two month season, and to be able to give some away to those who like it. I notice it in piles in shops, drying out and withering, and am glad not to have to buy it.

[Alex133]

Even if you can't grow lots of it still lovely in stir-fry dishes etc and much better than anything you can buy - starts to lose flavour from moment it's cut.