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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Psi (Pronounced 'Si'!) on March 02, 2009, 11:01:10

Title: Asparagus
Post by: Psi (Pronounced 'Si'!) on March 02, 2009, 11:01:10
Hi All

I am thinking of dedicating a bed to asparagus and have read all sorts of conflicting info!  What I gather is I need a well prepared bed (compost, manure etc) and around 12 crowns for a family of 4 and I should expect some spears in 2-3 years.  I have no idea of yields or what sort of protection the bed will require - what are the predators I need to be mindful of?  Rabbits???  Also I would like some top tips on what variety to grow - something that crops fairly heavily and is tasty are obviously the key attributes I am looking for!  All ideas appreciated...

Psi x
Title: Re: Asparagus
Post by: saddad on March 02, 2009, 12:09:08
Hi, I'm sure they will be attractive to rabbits but don't have that problem here. We have twenty crowns. The newer varieties are supposed to be heavier cropping but I grow the old "Convers Collossal".
:)
Title: Re: Asparagus
Post by: Psi (Pronounced 'Si'!) on March 02, 2009, 12:23:54
thanks saddad, what sort of crop do you get?  is it throughout the summer and how many spears would you say you get per week say?

thanks.
Title: Re: Asparagus
Post by: saddad on March 02, 2009, 12:26:17
Six to eight weeks... late May to late June. enough for 3-4 meals for 4 each week..  :) Some thin spears and mostly nice thick ones...  :)
Title: Re: Asparagus
Post by: Inky on March 02, 2009, 17:08:07
Sorry for the thread hyjack, I was just wondering how big a bed do you allow for growing asparagus?
I was under the impression that you needed loads of space to grow any reasonable amount?
Title: Re: Asparagus
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on March 02, 2009, 17:15:34
I've got two rows five feet apart, with the plants a foot apart in each row.
Title: Re: Asparagus
Post by: tonybloke on March 02, 2009, 18:20:08
I've got a twenty five foot by four foot bed with thirty crowns in. Ten each of ; Connovers colossal, Franklim, and Grolim.  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Asparagus
Post by: Inky on March 02, 2009, 19:38:19
hmmm all my beds are 1 x 2 meters, so I think I could only plant 10 crowns, dont really know that that would be enough to be worthwhile.
Title: Re: Asparagus
Post by: flossy on March 02, 2009, 19:45:15

   Doh !,   how many spears do you get from each plant please,

   please don't say ' one ' ?       ???


    floss xxx
Title: Re: Asparagus
Post by: tonybloke on March 02, 2009, 20:05:26
T B H, never counted them! but at a guess I reckon we harvest about 20 - 30 spears per crown. we stop cutting on midsummers day, so the crowns get plenty of photosynthetic materials to build themselves up for the next year (plus LOADS of seaweed) ;)
Title: Re: Asparagus
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on March 02, 2009, 23:15:56
They'll build up year by year. Ten crowns would give you a fair bit after a few years.