Asparagus

[NeilM]

Hi, I am just coming to the end of my second year of alotmenting so still relatively a novice particularly when it comes to anything unusual so would like some advice. I have been given some asparagus crowns for Christmas and was wondering what I should do with them. I know how to plant them, in theory, however is it to early to plant them? I have also got to prepare a bed for them so can I store them and if so for how long and do I need to water them, they came in compost in a pot but this appears to be more packing as apposed to planted.

[rustylady]

How many crowns? Grown by the present giver or purchased from somewhere? It's important not to let them dry out, so I suggest you have a good look at them and get back to us.

[Two_Sheds]

I've just had some crowns too (autumn planting ones), so they got whacked in the ground pronto.

Like this: BBC - Gardening - Gardening Guides - Techniques - Growing asparagus

[NeilM]

Sorry for not replying earlier I have have some computer problems so jave had to wait until got back to work.

The asparagus I have been given are Stewarts Purple, the label says for best results plant between March and May. I have two crowns and they were bought from a Garden centre.

[daylily]

In my personal experience, Asparagus is a much hardier plant than a lot of advice would have you believe.

Other than drying out, they cope with a lot of things. Depending how small or big the roots are - GC ones usually the former -, I reckon you have 2 choices: pot them or plant out.

I've never done this in January, but the weather had been so mild so long, I'd be tempted to do plant them outdoors straight away, as our soil is not overly wet or cold yet. You would need a good bed, of course.

[VirginVegGrower]

Same as Two Sheds - get them in now!

[salome2001]

just bought my own crowns today and so am in the same position as the OP. I have quite a heavy clay soil which has had some pony poo in it foor the last month or so. I am under the impression that the above consensus is to plant them out...

.... so would it be reasonable to plant them (with some gravel at the base, and some good MP compost around the crowns, then covered with bought topsoil as mine is heavy and full of little stones and weeds- neglected allotment) and then put fleece over the crowns until spring????

[frank67]

hi
dont plant them too deep,everyone says dig down 6 0r 8ins and cover gradually,i did that and some of them rotted,they became waterlogged,

[allotment grower]

asparigus is a long term crop that needs a perminant bed / area.

ideally you will need approx 15 crowns to get a reasonable crop

planting -

crowns are a bit like a cone with spider shaped roots..

you will need an area on the plot that can accomidate a perminant crop idealy next to a path

it has to be free draining not to rot the roots.
dig a trench approx 16 inches deep approx 1.5ft wide
fit the bottom with a thin layer of gravel top up with soil and compost with added well rotted manure form a triangle shaped mound place the crowns 1 ft apart along the row with the roots spread over the mound cover with compost soil and if possible leaf mold.

first year allow the plant to grow do not cut allow to grow until it forms a fern like stem cut down in autumn.

second year cut and eat for 3- 4 weeks of the season

third and continual years cut for 4 - 6 weeks of the season

Order your asparagus crowns here from New Park Farm Asparagus.

Allotment Grower

[allotment grower]

you have to add gravel in the base as it has to be free draining not to rot the roots..

Allotment Grower

[BarleySugar]

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...rus_54098.html
The plants I referred to here grew very well once I got the bed ready at the allotment last year, so I can confirm they are very hardy even in small containers. Although I suppose as they had been outside all the time, they were well accustomed to the lowering temperatures.
The fronds only began to yellow just before Christmas as it's been so mild up until now. I did buy two further crowns in the autumn to make up 9 plants (3x3 rows), so it will be interesting to compare the growth of each in the coming season.

[salome2001]

Well here's to experimentation... I planted those crowns last week, just in time for the blasted cold snap. I did everything I was supposed to re drainage, covered them with a mix of horse manure compost and bought topsoil to just cover them, then gave then 3-4 inches of straw and 4 layers of fleece to try to protect them from the cold. Will let you know in spring if they make it....