Aparagus yield

[Alison]

OK, started a thread the other week about asparagus seeds as oppose to crowns. Have now decided that I will grow from seed (am a bit tight sometimes!) even though I know it'll take upto 5 years before I get a decent harvest. My next question is, how many crowns do I need as I have absolutley no idea how many spears to expect from a mature plant. With this info I can work out what sized bed I should reserve for next year when I plant them out. Obviously they'll be in a permanent bed and I'm in the process of adapting my overall plan to work out where it will fit and don't want to end up either leaving too much space or not enough for the sake of a bit of extra planning now. Ta

[emilymup]

I decided to go for crowns as I'm a bit impatient and if I plant in march I could be harvesting a few next april for a short while!!!

The variety I have ordered are dutch Gijnlim and they are planted at 4 crowns per square yard which will give 2-3 lbs of spears.

Check out the New Park Farm Asparagus website - they have got loads of info on there!!

[Paulottie]

Difficult question Alison...Depends on variety, how much you've pampered them at the beginning...and of course how much your family likes asparagus. A mature male crown might produce about 25 spears a season (so that would average to about one in every 3 days)...or two bunches a season (a doz fat ones to the bunch rather than the puny 8 offered at our supermarket) You'll get some thinner stuff for soup etc too.

My original 2 beds were in staggered triple rows in 4' wide and 12' long beds, with a two foot path to either side and boards on the downhill side...about 25 crowns in each...bit like terraced raised beds really.

I have never regretted the space devoted to Asparagus. We all love it, It is there when there is nothing much else plus it is exceptionally handy to barter with!

So ...I'd go for about 25 crowns to make it a worthwhile investment....but then I'd bite the bullet and buy crowns. (or at least 1/2). I have grown a few dozen plants from seed in pots the last few years (not difficult but requires diligence) but there is no hurry for me now...my point being that thy wouldn't be in their final bed for a couple of years anyway.

[Paulottie]

PS. Remember that the ferns are 6 ft high in summer when planning your location.

PPS. I have lots of seed if you want some?....Can't guarantee parentage as bed contains Grolym, Backlym, and Gijnlym...but then the price is good!!!

[Alison]

Thanks for your help, this has been very useful. I've been given some Jersey Knight (I think) seeds so am going to sow them and see how I get on. If they fail I can get some crowns later in the season. I know it'll be a while before I get the bed up and running but want to make sure I have enough space in the overall plan!