Asparagus

[Anna Stox]

Hey folks,

I bought some cheap and cheerful asparagus crowns in wilkos over the weekend - hadn't planned on, but you know how it is! It was the last packet and unfortunately already had fresh growth (about 12cm high). I was hoping to hold off planting them until I have finalised where they are to go, which tied in with the recommended planting months (march onwards).

Anyway, given that they have started growing already, would I be better sticking them in some soil in a large bucket/bag for this year, then moving them to their final spot next winter once they are dormant again, cutting the tub away so as to disturb the roots as little as possible. I could bring them in if the temps get too low at night.

Or, should I just leave off planting them until march, and hope for the best?

Any advice gratefully recieved!

Anna

[Nicos]

The roots tend to dry out very quickly so they certainly needs to be in soil.
As the spears are frost tender you're going to have problems keeping them frost-free until the end of May if you plant them in there final place.

I'd be tempted to pop them in a pot as you suggest for now.

[Kristen]

I would put them in a pot and plant them out in March when you have the ground ready.

You need to spread out the roots (when you plant them), so the concept of being gentle and not disturbing them when they are planed out doesn't really apply and if you leave it until next year before planting out that will be another year before you get a crop ... hence I am thinking planting them this year is better.

[snake the squadie]

i did the same as you a couple of years ago i got about a 50% success rate. my advice would be plant them in a decent size pot now and keep them warm until late march they wont mind being moved that much

[stella]

When you plant them out in the final position you need to make a trench and then make a small hump to sit the plant on. Then spread the roots down and around it like a long skirt. Sounds a bit strange but it helps to raise the crown a bit

[Anna Stox]

Hey folks,

thanks for all of the advice. I had planned on planting them in a large bucket in exactly the same way as I would in their final bed - specifically (as per stella's comments), on a small hump. Hopefully that way once I finally plant them out I can do minimal disturbance of the roots (provided I can cut away the big bucket/bag) as they will already be in the right kind of position.

It's really useful to know that it would be better to get on with that now (provided I can keep frost off them), rather than wait until later, so thanks again!

Best wishes,
Anna

[Kristen]

I planted mine on a hump of sharp sand, as I am on clay. Yours won't grow that much between now and March, I would sort the roots out properly when you plant them in the ground - they will crop for 20 years, but not for the first couple of years, so best to have the best conditions you can provide, and to get the roots laid out radially.