filling asparagus trench

[growbag]

Some of my asparagus crowns are starting to show. I know I have to fill in the trench gradually but how much of the crown needs to be left or do they keep growing taller as you fill? Thanks anyone.

[Paulottie]

Hi growbag.
Is this their first year? if so, keep them covered with an inch or two of topsoil this season. don't let them dry out on suface nor bury them two foot down. After you cut the yellow ferns in Nov. put on a couple more inches for winterto keep them cosy and then again in spring to replace that which has washed off in winter. and so on. as they get stronger you will want to aim for about 6" under the soil.

[growbag]

Hello Paulottie, they are in their first year from one year old crowns planted about three weeks ago. Some are about 3" high & some havent appeared yet. I have been sprinkling in a bit more soil but leaving them largely uncovered except for fleece at night.

[Paulottie]

Sounds like you are doing fine. As long as crowns are an inch or three under soil your OK.

Trenches are normally 10" deep or so to start on light soils (less on heavier/poorly drained soils -to stop rot these are earthed up more like spuds) you can slowly infill over the summer but let the ferns come first and then start infilling. They need their leaves to get the strength to establish themselves. They will be 6" down by the end of summer. In winter your trench will be full and they will be 8 or 10" down. Just don't be tempted to fill them in yet and in one go.

Good luck. you've made a great investment. The best thing you can grow in my opinion. They are going strong when there is nothing much about and once established with care will last 25 years plus. Which variety did you go for.

Paul.

[rustylady]

I wouldn't worry about filling in this year - just make sure they don't dry out. In the autumn when you cut down the ferns give them a good weeding and topdress with manure or compost. May help if you can build a raised bed round them to contain the extra soil/compost/manure

[growbag]

Some of them are 6" tall now. Must be all the warm weather we've had here. They are "Eros" by the way. Thanks for the advice.

[Paulottie]

Mine growing like billyo in the heat too. One grew 8/10" in 24 hrs. You can almost see them grow! 38 sprears and 9 spues today. 28 yesterday!

[growbag]

Being my first time to grow them & rather a novice, what are spues? , also do you support the spears as they get taller ,they look pretty fragile some of them , one looks like it is developing fern bits. Is this normal as I only planted the crowns about a month ago?

[Flummery]

Sprue is the thin shoots - make a great soup or wonderful omelette.

[Paulottie]

'Spues' are silly little thin spears plants sometimes throw up. When harvesting you will cut them off to keep the proper ones a-comin. Yes, you want the ferns to develop and it is normal (although, again not desirable this early when you are harvesting in a couple of years time). Yes, It is a good idea to put a string around the whole bed in summer. -i have a post in each corner to which i staple baler twine keeps the whole lot from flopping into paths or snapping in a bad wind- but don't try and stake each plant.

[Paulottie]

Has it got an 'R' in? my spelling atroti...rubizch

[Flummery]

I think spue is a variation of the word meaning yok up! No one has mentioned that when you go for a wee the air will fill with the aroma of second hand asparagus! I don't mind - small price to pay!

[shirlthegirl43]

I planted six crowns a month - I had one spear appear - pretty weak and weedy but it was there. Now it is shrivelling up - is this normal? How long should I expect to wait to see sprouts from the other plants?