Asparagus

[xspye]

I planted loads of asparagus crowns in autumn and I was just wondering when they will start to show. So far there is nothing but the odd weed I missed in the when we cleared it last year.

The varieties I planted were suitable for Autumn planting, am I just being impatient or should I be worried and looking at replacing the crowns.

[Hazel at the Hill]

Asparagus query mk II

....and on a very similar matter.......... (sorry - don't mean to hi-jack the thread, xspye, but if grapes know the answer to yours, they'll know the answer to mine....!)

Does anyone have the definitive guide to asparagus planting.....partner-in-grime at the Hill tells me that she's bought 4 crowns and I'm not sure what to do with them! The books seem to say that they are tricky, so any hints and tips would be much appreciated!

[Nicos]

Dead easy to grow.....you just need to be patient for them to appear!
At least another 4-6 weeks and DON'T pick for at least a couple of years!!!
Keep ridges weed free...you can grow lettuce on the ridges so as not to waste space.
type in asparagus in the search box...it was discussed a lot last year! Any other probs- just ask again!!

[rustylady]

Hi xspye, you don't say where in the country you are, and new growth depends on temperature. I've grown asparagus from seed last year, didn't have time to plant them out on the lottie so kept in a cool greenhouse overwinter. The top growth died off, so I cut it off, re-potted them and they're now going mad in the conservatory. No artificial heat, just under cover. Don't despair if they're not showing yet - go by what else is starting to grow - and when they do start to shoot don't stand over them - you can almost stand there and see them getting bigger.

Hazel, the usual advice for planting crowns is to dig a trench, leave a ridge of soil in the middle and plant the crowns on this (with the roots spread either side). Then backfill gently. The main thing is to make sure the crowns don't dry out.

[Hazel at the Hill]

Hazel, the usual advice for planting crowns is to dig a trench, leave a ridge of soil in the middle and plant the crowns on this (with the roots spread either side). Then backfill gently. The main thing is to make sure the crowns don't dry out.

Dead easy to grow.....you just need to be patient for them to appear!
At least another 4-6 weeks and DON'T pick for at least a couple of years!!!
Keep ridges weed free...you can grow lettuce on the ridges so as not to waste space.
type in asparagus in the search box...it was discussed a lot last year! Any other probs- just ask again!!

Thanks you two - and I didn't think to do a search (d'oh!).

[xspye]

Hi xspye, you don't say where in the country you are, and new growth depends on temperature. I've grown asparagus from seed last year, didn't have time to plant them out on the lottie so kept in a cool greenhouse overwinter. The top growth died off, so I cut it off, re-potted them and they're now going mad in the conservatory. No artificial heat, just under cover. Don't despair if they're not showing yet - go by what else is starting to grow - and when they do start to shoot don't stand over them - you can almost stand there and see them getting bigger.

Hazel, the usual advice for planting crowns is to dig a trench, leave a ridge of soil in the middle and plant the crowns on this (with the roots spread either side). Then backfill gently. The main thing is to make sure the crowns don't dry out.

Thanks rusty lady
I'm in Berkshire and the weather has been good so far. Most other things in the garden are growing really well so I was getting worried! But I guess a bit like a watched kettle never boiling watched asparagus doesn't grow .
Will try and be more patient!
Thanks for the advice