Can I plant asparagus & rhubarb crowns now?

[palborn]

I've got the opportunity to get some asparagus & rhubarb crowns but all the advice seems to be that they should be planted in the spring. Will planting them now be a complete waste of time? I realise they won't put on any growth until it warms up but will it actually be detrimental to them if I do plant them now?

[lainey lou]

Are they freebies? If this is a once only offer, I would be inclined to accept and prep up the beds you're planting them into really well.

[SueA]

Hi Palborn, I'd give them a go too. I don't know what your weather is like in Limousin but if you get cold winters I'd cover the beds with some kind of mulch to try & give the crowns some protection from the worst of the weather as they might not put on much growth if you put them in now. Try some homemade compost, leaf mulch, manure, etc.

[FoxHillGardener]

I'm sure in Amateur Gardening this week they say it's the time to split rhubarb crowns. That would mean that now is the time to plant them out. Is that not the case then?

I was going to lift and split mine as we're moving house soon and I can take a bit with me in a pot. Maybe your source has read AG too and is splitting theirs based on that too

[vegnut]

Hi palborn
I would definately plant the rhubarb now. But i can't say about the asparagus. But as Lainey lou said, If they are freebies, then just do it.

[diggerdelaney]

rhubarb can be transplanted and divided once the leaves have died down don't forget to prepare the ground and manure it at least a couple of weeks before doing so
as regards asparagus i moved mine this time last year it survived hope this is of use regards DD

[rustylady]

Yes to both. Both are hardy, and autumn is a good time to plant. Gives them the late autumn and winter to settle in and put roots down before they put on their spring growth. Don't crop next year, though (or if you absolutely must, then take only a little from each plant) they will need next year's foliage to build up their strength. Both rhubarb and asparagus, once established, can crop for up to twenty years.

[palborn]

Thank you all for the replies. I think I will give it a go.

Also can someone explain why perennial weeds are a problem with asparagus. The bed I have set aside for them does have a problem with bindweed but I do keep on top of the weeding. Will I have to use weedkiller to kill them off completely before planting? I am trying to garden organically but am prepared to resort to chemicals if absolutely necessary.

[Alison]

I'm guessing it's mainly a problem cos you leave the asparagus in situ so it's harder to clear the likes of bind weed. Don't grow it myself (not that keen) so somebody may be able to advise more fully.

[SueA]

By the way I think rhubarb needs to be frosted to grow well, so don't put mulch right over the crown until after it's been a bit frosty.I think with bindweed even if you use weedkiller it will probably come back a few times before you manange to get rid of it. You just have to get rid of as much as possible by digging it out & keep on top of it I think.

[lainey lou]

You're not alone Palborn, I have bind weed in the bed I'm planning to use for rhubarb too.
I put down some weedkiller a few weeks ago ( and have felt really bad about it ever since) and have now put a thick mulch of compost on top and will soon add some manure (no science simply adding as available!) Hopefully this will weaken it.
Good luck with yours!
LL

[FoxHillGardener]

Cool, will dig it up this weekend ready for move

[snake the squadie]

i split my rhubarb, moved it and replanted this time last year. the results were not brilliant however they took reali well and i think next years plants will do very well. i am about to do the same this year

[diana]

I moved my rhubarb this year and split the crowns as when I moved int our croft it was growing in the front lawn. I was told it had been in the ground there for 40 years so heres hoping it services the move, perhaps we could all report back next spring on this.

[SueA]

Wow that's an ancient rhubarb Diana! It will probably benefit from the split but maybe you won't get much of a crop next year as they need a year to settle in usually & they do say you shouldn't pull any in the first year of planting to allow them to establish. Hope it works for you, envy you living on a croft!