Asparagus, which variety and how many crowns?

[Lazgaot]

I'm thinking of growing some Asparagus but just want to find out a few things first:

1) Are the "high yielding" varieties tasty? If not,
2) Whats the tastiest variety?
2) How many crowns do I need to feed 2-3 comfortably for the 6-8 week cropping period?

[Gurberly]

We have a mix of varieties, rather than all of one type, probabaly 16 crowns in all
Theliam and Purple Pacific in the main and a few Gijnlim [sp?]. The Pacific's quite good as a salad one.

... will you be eating anything else but asparagus in this period?

G

[Aberdeenplotter]

I've always fancied having my own asparagus but the thought of it being there for several years before I can crop it is a real downer for me. I'm still very interested in the subject matter though.

[solway cropper]

I planted 12 crowns last year and as there's only me and her eat it I'm hoping it's going to be enough. Varieties are Gijnlim and Connover's.

I know what people mean about having to wait but you don't need a large area for it and I like the idea of having my own fresh supply to last me till I shuffle off this mortal coil!!

[Kristen]

Only reasons for not doing it, that I can think of are:

You might not be in that spot for very long (can't transplant / take them with you)

You have no space

You don't like Asparagus!

Raspberries, soft fruit, Globe artichokes, Rhubarb you don't get anything / not much until year 2. Asparagus is year 3 - not that much different.

[RobP]

I too am interested in getting some asparagus crowns in but I don't know if I have enough space free for the number of crowns I'd need to make it worthwhile... Assuming a couple of spears per person per day for the cropping period - how many crowns would you need to provide that for 2 people?

I dont have a lot of space, and as this is my first proper year of growing (after a few peas and beans and lettuces etc last year) I seem to have bought a dozen varieties of literally everything, seed wise, next year I'll have a much better idea of what I can/want to grow - so hopefully will have more space for something permanent like asparagus..

[bazzaboy]

I would tend to recommend over-stocking rather than sparsely stocking asparagus as even the same variety doesn't grow to a uniform thickness (ie some thicker, some spindly which will vary steaming times so best to select similar stems each time) nor, especially once you're cutting it, does it grow at a uniform rate/height so you tend to need the luxury of a daily choice of which stems to select... And it is by far best fresh: cut, steam, eat - otherwise not a lot of advantage over buying.... If available space is limited you can cram it in a bit tighter than the manuals might suggest (I grow some in a deep container that I haul into an unheated greenhouse for earliest crop and then haul out again once main bed gets going...). If you're preparing a bed best tip I can offer is to get all and every perennial roots/weeds out as you'll only want to do the lightest of surface weeding once you get the crop established.

[Nicos]

We had 12 of one variety- then bought 12 of another- can't remember the varieties- one was green and the other purple.
We had a few spears each ( 4 of us) everyday for several weeks.

[chris]

I really want to start growing it too - but as I don't have an allotemnt, I can't really justify the amount of space in my garden. I want to start it off in a big tub, at least to try and give some spears a root system, and then attempt to transplant - but would like to time it right.

In reality though - I probably won't get around to doing it

[dave_norm_smith]

Hi Kristen

You mention in your first point about not being able to take them with you/ transplant, is that right? How do you get new crowns to plant?

I have never read up on them as I have never had any space to have a dedicated bed so please excuse my ignorance.

Dave

[Kristen]

How do you get new crowns to plant?

Crowns are usually sold as "one year old" (or older). As far as I know they are grown from seed.