Bed for Asparagus

[vikkib]

Hello all,

I'm looking to get an asparagus bed going on the plot.

I've edged a bed with scaffold boards but it's more to have at least one clearly marked bed on my random looking plot than an overwhelming desire to have a raised bed for the asparagus as I don't like the idea of it drying out quickly.

I'm very lucky that the soil on the plot is in excellent condition as it is but I'd like to make it as good as possible to give the crowns as good a start as possible.

Sadly the manure supplier at our plot is stepping down and we haven't had any muck all year.

I can get some bags of muck from a local stables but I presume it will be fresh rather than well rotted.

I'd like to get a muck heap going to start rotting some down but I was wondering if it would be worth putting some down (or would it do any harm) on top of the soil in the bed and letting it rot down there as well?

What else could I add to the asparagus bed to improve the soil to get it in a good condition?

[BUFFS]

i plan to get some cow manure to put onto my asparagus bed (less weed seeds in it) and hopefully at least 2ins deep all over (thats 5cm for those youngsters only allowed to count in 10s),the worms will have made sure its all gone by spring and then its stand by with your knife.......

[vikkib]

Sadly I'm not at the stage where I need to be ready with the knife Buffs! ; )

Very much looking forward to it though, might be a couple of years off yet!

[cptncrackoff]

Hi Vikkib, there are alot of friendly farmers around the colchester area, some may be able to provide for a very small price depending on your exact location it may be worth looking into.

jon

[vikkib]

Hi Vikkib, there are alot of friendly farmers around the colchester area, some may be able to provide for a very small price depending on your exact location it may be worth looking into.

jon

Thanks for the suggestion Jon.

I'm very near North Station and the plot is on a site on the Cowdray Avenue (known as the Mercers Farm site - can't find a Mercers Farm in Colchester when googled sadly!)

I'll have a bit more of a google over the weekend and see what I can find.

In the meantime if anyone knows of any friendly farmers in the area and doesn't mind sharing the info I'd be very grateful.

[cptncrackoff]

Hmm, i know cowdray avenue...well Mcdonalds! haha, although allotment wise I only know the site behind what was 'megabowl'!?

I could point you in the direction of some livestock farmers in the area ( i work for an agricultural machinery dealer ), you would have to drop them a line and try them, i think with most farmers it depends on what mood they are in when you ask! lol
drop me a pm if you like!

[BUFFS]

Thanks for the suggestion Jon.

I'm very near North Station and the plot is on a site on the Cowdray Avenue (known as the Mercers Farm site - can't find a Mercers Farm in Colchester when googled sadly!)

I'll have a bit more of a google over the weekend and see what I can find.

In the meantime if anyone knows of any friendly farmers in the area and doesn't mind sharing the info I'd be very grateful.

i know that area well,i was stationed there in the early 70s,a real trip down memory lane to those distant days of youth,we used to cover the whole area on communication exercises,a lovely part of the country..

[Polly Fouracre]

Seaweed is good for asparagus.

[BUFFS]

Seaweed is good for asparagus.

save that for the tatties....oooooh the flavour.....