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I planted six crowns, from Wilkinsons, last spring, and  had several ferns from each plant, none of which were harvested.  I cut them down to a couple of inches in the autumn and waited to see how many would come up this year, expecting more!  Up to now the results are as follows:One plant has three, one has two and the other four have one each.  What have I done wrong?  I havn't cut any at all.  I have also planted another six crowns this spring, and only one of them has a little fern growing, about 6"tall now.  I did get very excited a few weeks ago when the shooting occerred, but there's been nothing since, and I'm  puzzled.  What can I do to get more productivity? 

Hello namesake! I have exactly the same problem - last year planted expensive asparagus - hardly anything came up although they were very healthy. This year added some wilkies ones to the gaps (I did make a trench etc) but only have 1-2 spears  on each - very spindly.

Help - what are we doing wrong?
gwynleg

My asparagus has failed spectacularly as well.

I have been looking at growing from seed this year, still takes up to 3 years but can cosset the plants until they are ready to go into the ground.

Might be worth a dabble for a packet of seeds. Martha Washington looks like a good punt

Mine too lol must be the weather conditions, although the farmers seem to have done ok this year!
My 2nd yr plant had two spears and the 3 new Wilko's each have one small fine feather, feel i have wasted so much room on them and could be planting something more worthwhile.

you did not fail your just impatient it takes 5 years in my experience to start to get good harvest from asparagus and that is from transplant,  that 1 bag of uncomposted manure after the plants die down for winter.   i  have 18 plants. I would comment further but I don't want you newbies to get to disenchanted.

I have had trouble establishing young plants at my daughter's plot mainly, I think, because she doesn't have time to visit and water them, and especially to watch out for the asparagus beetle that can strip the stalks. I think they have simply dried out and withered and died, in our case. I have got some more going, and she is making a big effort to visit them more after work.

I live 60 miles away, and can only go there about once a fortnight, which is not enough in this weather.

PS My own plants are about 8 years old, and I am amazed at the rate they are pushing up big fat tall spears every day. Once they are established, they dig down deep for their own winter water - I have never watered mine ever, after the first year. But they do need cosseting at first.

They don`t like to dry out and need a mulch feed and like to be weed free, ours are 2-3 years old from seed and pick a little bit this year then let it grow, then it will die back and the goodness goes back into the roots for a stronger plant next year. One is spindly so will just leave it for another year.

Thanks all for reassurance - both that I am not alone and that there is hope of a crop one day!

yes, glad to know it's not just me, and there is hope!

My asparagus is about 5 years old. I got the plants from Wilkinsons. Last year was the first tme I picked any to use. They were a bit leggy and woody in texture. This year they are more short and chubby (bit like me!) and they are nice and tender. I think you need to be patient.

Once again those little whitish cream ground living slugs about 1/4 to 1/2 in long are eating my asparagus before it emerges.  Check this is not happening to yours.  They tell you not to cut it in order for the plants to strengthen and the little blighters eat it before it sees daylight and eventually kill the plants

I shall have to get some nematodes, though I was trying to let nature put things in balance, so far the only balance seems sufficient asparagus to support the slugs   >:(

All the best
Sue

My personal view is that preparation on the site well before planting is very important and then to buy really good plants.The best  bed I ever started was the last one I had last in the UK the plants were CitoI think and the roots were 18 -20  jnches long, the bed was all ready and waiting from Autumn when the plants arrived mail order. I t was a foot high raised, 22 feet x5 feet. After several puny beds over the years I was very careful to get thiss one very nutricious etc. Other beds I have started over the years got there eventually but the exra effort put into
this one really paid off. I anyone is thinking of starting one bear this in mind. My n eighbours one which was started the year before mine didn`t produce nraly as well.

Be patient and you will get therer.

For the poster who wanted to start from seeds, in my opinion there are far better ones then Mary Washington. I would consider going for one of the all male Hybrids, they are many about, I can help you get seeds if not available in the UK.

Good luck, it is very frustrating.

Interesting thread - Asparagus is my experiment at the moment started off from seed and have 24 baby plants looking all ferny and lovely. Hopefully it'll work .