Intercropping between Asparagus

[JimmerG]

I created a gorgeous raised asparagus bed a few months ago, full of compost, sand, manure etc etc. Its 8' x 4' and contains 10x 1 year old crowns that I planted a month ago - most of them have thrown up spindly ferns - so its off to a reasonable start.

BUT - could I squeeze in some salady sort crops between these crowns?There seems to be loads of this lovely soil begging for something else. Am I asking for trouble? Are there any veggies that don't require too much space? I was wondering about radishes or beetroot (I guess these might hate the manure) maybe Pak choi? Things that grow quickly and won't drain the soil and compete with the crowns.

What do we think?

Or should I just leave it alone.....!

Jimmer

[Nicos]

How old are the asparagus crowns???
If they are 3 yrs and planted on a ridge below the soil ( if you understand my description!!) then the roots will be a few inches below soil level- so any shallow rooted salad crop should be OK.
I've grown lettuce on either side of th ridge with no problems to the asparagus- I just made sure the ridge gets an extra feed when I'd taken the lettuce.Just one crop per year .

Just make sure no weeds grow in between!!!

ooopppsss...I've just re-read your post...1 Year old crowns???.....nah- I'd leave them with no competition!

( well...radish at a push!!!)

[JimmerG]

Thanks Nicos, I reckon I might try a line of radishes straight down the middle between the crowns.

It hadn't occured to me that maybe they could cope better with competition after getting themselves established...

[TEB]

Asparagus hate root disturbance especially in the early years, is it worth jeopardising the beds in this early stage just for a few radishes, if you lived nearer you could have had our row of radishes because we dont like them and have no idea why we planted them but sods law they have produced a lovely harvest.

[Nicos]

we dont like them and have no idea why we planted them but sods law they have produced a lovely harvest.

Ain't that always the way!!!

[TEB]

Aint it just and we cannot even give them away

[gojiberry]

I don't think asparagus likes any competition at all, even when the bed is mature. Traditionally an asparagus bed is an asparagus, nothing more nothing less. Keep well weeded and feed once a year. I've even tried growing it in large tubs but it wouldn't have it. Still someone will probably come along and give you a list as long as your arm of what they grow in with asparagus, but that's gardening for you.

Ian

[JimmerG]

Salting Asparagus??

Oh alright then - I'll leave them alone...!

What's the score with feedng Asparagus with salty water - how much? When? How often - will it help keep weeds down?

J

[TEB]

I suppose it depends on your soil type because the salt is supposed to reduce drainage and eventually could leach out into the rest of your garden (well thats the theory anyway)

[chriscross1966]

Oh alright then - I'll leave them alone...!

What's the score with feedng Asparagus with salty water - how much? When? How often - will it help keep weeds down?

J

Asparagus in the wild grows on seashores so it is very much more salt tolerant than most things.... it won't affect it at all but most plants hate it..... helps keep the weeds down I guess.....

chrisc