Companion planting for Asparagus bed?

[T-lady]

Hi there

I planted 10 crowns of Asparagus last year in a raised bed - 2 rows at about 20 inches between the rows. So, the whole thing is taking up about a 5 foot stretch of bed.

It seems such a waste of the big gap between the rows (let alone because I've another season before I can even start to cut the odd spear!)


Can I interplant with anything without compromising the Asparagus?

Thanks in anticipationg ...

[allotmentlady]

Flowers? Nigella is in between mine and does not bother at all........mind you I plant nigella in with my carrots to TRY to deter her ladyship the carrot fly lol

[T-lady]

Now that's a nice idea - I get a bit overly focussed on veggies but I could do that. I picked up some really cheap flower seeds at Lidl yesterday (29p per pack) and there were cornflowers and stocks which might work a treat.

Humm - good thinking!

[zazen999]

One lovely flower is Flax. Gorgeous.

[Maf]

Asparagus is said to help Tomatoes

Tomatoes, Parsley, Basil, Comfrey, Marigolds are said to help Asparagus.

Parsley is s'posed to improve the flavour.
Basil is s'posed to improve vigour.
Marigolds are s'posed to deter asparagus beetle.

and Comfrey ?

Personally, I would have thought that they would take up too much space ?

Maybe it's because they have long tap roots rather than radial ones. They're said to bring nuitrients from deep in the soil and are sometimes planted to sacrifice to slugs.

A strange image of a procession of slugs, in little black robes, carrying torches and chanting in menacing slug voices has just entered my head

[T-lady]

Are slugs a problem with asparagus then?

[ConstantGardener]

parsley definitely... it's one of those classic partnerships