Allotments 4 All

I've decided to create a raised asparagus bed in my garden and grow some asparagus from seed. Has anyone done this and have a complete idiot's guide?!

I know they take a long time to grow, so is there anything that can be grown in the bed as well without competing with the asparagus?
thanks

- grown from seed, yes - but why? You don't have to prove yourself? Why not 1 yr old plants? Pick a few shoots in the 2nd year.

Other things? Don't know, but I would leave at least 18" either side?

Raised bed - lots of watering? = Tim

growing from seed due to the cost of buying crowns.
Was keen on a raised bed because the soil is quite clay and a raised bed also makes it easier to stop cats digging in it.

rdak-I take your point over the cost of crowns,and raising from seed is not difficult.

But before you decide see if you can get any others interested-a company called Moles seeds,offer 50 crowns for £27.20 inc.carriage-if you could sell some on at say 80p folk would still get a bargain and you could cover your costs.

Whatever you decide do watch out for slugs and snails-they ruined my bed completely.

Stephan.

- at least the cat answered?

And OK - but when your plants are just entering their first year from seed - great excitement - do make sure that someone doesn't rotovate the plot as 'a favour'!! - Tim

Do you really need 50? I got 10 from my local Garden centre a few years ago and can't remember just how much I paidbut it wouldn't be anywhere near that price.They have been quite productive .Haven't I read somewhere that they like the salt from sea-weed?I don't know what brought that to mind as we don't get much sea-weed on the Pennines.

Dont know if you have decided on the seeds or crowns route yet.  

But if I would like to do an Asparagus bed but have the same problem - crowns are expensive and seeds - well to be honest would take too long to get a crop off and I havent that much patience.

I would be interested in going in with you to buy the bulk option as a cheaper alternative that Cleo suggested and maybe others would too ?

Piglet

Grew Asparagus from seed 4 years ago. Got the first spears last Spring, about 6.  Not brilliant and a good half the plants from seed will be female and far less productive cos they prefer to create more asparagus rather than sit around getting fat like what males do.
If there is any way to get crowns (nobody on the allotmens got any to spare?) then I would go for that option. To be quite honest unless these produce a good crop this year they are going on the compost heap. And I' ve told em so as well.

I decided to go for the seed option, and have some seed ready to sow. I don't normally have much patience either, but am hoping some tasty asparagus will be worth the wait......in 2007/08 !!!

In the meantime, you can enjoy the fronds when they appear.  Very pleasing on the eye!  ;D

wilkinson are selling 3 crowns for 1.99 if that helps anyone, they have loads of fruit bushes too. and garlic and onions etc

That`s a decent price-some risk that they will be dried out but then again a chance of a bargain.

Stephan.

Thanks Legless, will pop in town at the weekend see if they've got any.

Piglet. :)

My brother gave me some asparagus seeds for a Xmas present as he though it woul dbe a challenge for me. I have to go and prove how good I can grow things to him now.  :)
-B_B-

- oh, to be young again!! Good luck. = Tim