Asparagus - Sanity Check!

[Scousemooncat]

Afternoon All,

Just a quick question about my asparagus as I cant find a clear answer, or description anywhere

I planted a load of crowns last year and had a few very thin spindley aspargus thru last year and also 1 or 2 poking through at present - again very thin (4mm)..

I understand about the not harvesting until the 3rd year etc...but do they follow the pattern of thin and spindly for the first few years whilst they build up the energy in the crowns and then thicker ones come through from year 3 onwards???..or have I got duff crowns?!

As long as this is meant to happen, then its fine - if not then there may be some changes ahead!


Many thanks...

Simon


Experimental Crop for 2012 : Peruvian Ground Apples & Cucamelons...

[rustylady]

Any idea what variety they are? And how far apart did you plant them? Did you leave the ferns on them till they died back?

[Nicos]

Same questions as RL.

Also - yes they do eventually get fatter. To start with they put their energy into developing their extensive root system.
Some varieties are really quite chunky- others are delicate- ie 1cm max.
Remember- larger doesn't always mean tastier!

[veggiechicken]

Asparagus puzzles me too! If you prevent newly planted fruit trees from fruiting, why don't you take the spears from asparagus in their first 2 years? Wouldn't that give them more energy to put into their roots?

[Scousemooncat]

Hello All...thanks for the rapid response!

They are Backlim & Gijnlim - they are about 2.5 foot apart...and I did leave the ferns on to develop...

S

[Madasafish]

Leave the ferns to develop and leave loads of compost on top of the ground in winter to act as a feed and mulch.

Of course if you have planted them too deep, they may struggle to survive..

[Nicos]

Both varieties are reasonably thick.
Good planting distance...they could in fact have been a bit closer!

Did they get very dry last summer?

[binley100]

Mine were grown from seed about 3 years ago and this year for the frirst time I can see some nice fat ones poking through .....so yes they should get fatter

[rustylady]

Asparagus puzzles me too! If you prevent newly planted fruit trees from fruiting, why don't you take the spears from asparagus in their first 2 years? Wouldn't that give them more energy to put into their roots?

You leave the ferns to develop because the leaves feed the roots (a bit like potatoes)

[veggiechicken]

Thanks RL. Do the spears become the ferns? Where do the seeds form?
I've never had any contact with an asparagus plant and I don't understand how it "works"!

[Capsid]

The spears are the new shoots that if left will grow to become the tall ferny plants. Once the plants are established then the spears can be harvested from now until June and then harvesting stops to allow the remaining spears to grow into the ferns and feed the roots for next year.

[Nicos]

Traditionally the last cut is on Mid Summer's day!

[binley100]

My grandad used to grow asparagus way back when but they never had it as a veg .......just used some of the ferns to go with his carnations ......

[veggiechicken]

The spears are the new shoots that if left will grow to become the tall ferny plants. Once the plants are established then the spears can be harvested from now until June and then harvesting stops to allow the remaining spears to grow into the ferns and feed the roots for next year.

Thanks Mark. Finally I understand! I imagined the spears were the "flowers" and the ferns were the "leaves" - not the same thing. D'oh!!

[BarleySugar]

Asparagus comes in male and female plants (Backlim & Gijnlim are male only varieties). If you have female plants they can bear red berries if pollinated, which can cause problems with self seeding. Setting the seed also means less energy going into the roots, and therefore a lighter harvest (allegedly, no actual experience of this).