Morning, I have been given the opportunity to move plots to a much bigger and nicer plot (from Jan 2012) and all was fine until I remembered my asparagus plants.
I want to move these with me and wondered what the best way is to do this? My idea was to dig them up very gently in Jan and move them into a trench and then slowly start to fill this in. Would this be too early? Am I also right in thinking I shouldn't cut any next year in order for them to settle in?
Thanks for your advice
CL x
Hi - you normally would plant in April but as you cant and the plants will be dormant i reckon it should be ok... Maybe someone else will have a more positive answer.
I've managed to do it more or lesss as you say from one plot to another... :)
I would say..sooner the better . As the soil is still 'warm'..doing it now may help the roots to 'get hold' and perharps grow a bit too..providing we don't get freezing temps as yet.
If you wait until January, the ground may not be in condition for any digging.. hell might have frozen over by then... :-X
Yes I have moved asparagus (successfully) in November but you don't have that option since you don't get the new plot till January.
I think you could try lifting them now and overwintering them in pots (well lagged against the cold) and then pop them in once the thaw comes (or earlier if the ground is frost-free). I didn't bother with the whole trench and infill thing because I lifted them with a lot of soil and just put them back in to the same depth.
I would play it by ear as to cutting next year or not. If you have loads of shoots you could always take a few. I think the trick is to avoid disturbing the roots as much as possible when you move them - easier said than done if they are well established and have huge intertwined root systems I know!
Cornish Lass
Think I might have to try the same trick for a different reason. A burrowing creature has taken up residence in the asparagus bed and i might have to dig it out as poison under the asparagus does not seem a good idea. I shall try gently at the weekend and put plenty of seaweed meal back with them. Normally I would also use bonemeal the encourage the roots but rats and such might think it was dinner. ::)Mind you I also have a trap or 2 to try as well but I'm not very expert with those.. At least I can do the in and out in one day.
I wonder if just wrapping the roots in sacking might be adequate while you are waiting as they are obviously hardy by surviving winter temperatures. I'd definitely use seaweed meal and bonemeal if you can get some. Just get your new bed prepared properly before you put them in because you won't get another chance once they're in.
You should be OK to move them as long as the ground's not frozen. Pots sound like a good idea, only I don't know what very cold weather would do to them, as they're a lot more vulnerable that way.
Just wanted to say thanks for the advice :) Luckily the guy vacated his plot yesterday and gave me the go-ahead to take over. So today I dug a trench, dug up my asparagus and re-planted it in the new bed. I am hoping that because the ground is still warm and that we live in cornwall there shouldn't be too bad a frost soon and at least give them a chance!
Fingers crossed!
It will be fine... dont worry..