Asparagus - Is it worth it?

[AllInContainers]

I briefly considered trying asparagus last year, and it briefly came onto my radar this year too. Both times I ruled it out quite quickly, but I thought I'd get input from you guys to see if my thinking is sound.

The reason I ruled it out is having to wait two years from crowns (three from seed) before getting anything, only being able to harvest part of it thereafter (to allow the plant to restore itself), and what seems to me to be a rather small harvest for the growing space required. Am I doing the crop an injustice, or is this really something for those who have an abundance of space who can afford to put in low level production crops for variety?

I know my space to yield ratio on my Globe Artichoke is not the greatest, but at least the wating time is less and it does add structural impact to the garden

[Penellype]

I used to have asparagus already established in my old garden and it was great. The uncut spears grow into beautiful tall "ferns" which would actually look great in a perennial border, and they are often covered in red berries in the autumn, so really quite decorative (the berries are poisonous to humans unfortunately). They do seed themselves around the garden though.

This is an interesting concept that I hadn't thought of http://www.vanmeuwen.com/fruit-and-v...owbags/69994VM
Might have to give that a go

[RaptorUK]

I briefly considered trying asparagus last year, and it briefly came onto my radar this year too. Both times I ruled it out quite quickly, but I thought I'd get input from you guys to see if my thinking is sound.

I know my space to yield ratio on my Globe Artichoke is not the greatest, but at least the wating time is less and it does add structural impact to the garden

I hope it is worth it . . . I have 20 crowns on order and will be growing some from seed too.

In the space that I am growing 36 crowns I could grow approx 32 cauliflowers or cabbages, but I have to sow and plant and tend cauliflowers and cabbages newly each year . . . I pay £1 for a cauliflower at my supermarket, I hope to do better than £1 per asparagus crown eventually.

As for having to wait to be able to fully harvest . . . yes I agree it's a bit of a pain, but this time next year I'll have 1 year less to wait, if you keep thinking about planting them the time never gets shorter

I like asparagus

[RaptorUK]

I used to have asparagus already established in my old garden and it was great. The uncut spears grow into beautiful tall "ferns" which would actually look great in a perennial border, and they are often covered in red berries in the autumn, so really quite decorative. They do seed themselves around the garden though.

This is just one good reason to make sure you buy all male crowns or sort your own when growing from seed . . .

[JoeDaStudd]

There is a variety which claims to give a small crop the first year and a real crop the second when grown from seed.
Ah found it the variety is called F1 Ariane (link).
I've been meaning to try them, but never found spot I'm willing to devote to just one crop.

[Hans Mum]

Yes...definitely there is nothing like asparagus cooked within a few minutes of being picked & its very expensive even when in season.

[catgirl]

I'd love to grow asparagus! For one, they're really expensive in the shops, and secondly, in Holland (where I grew up) they only really grow white asparagus, which is difficult to find fresh in the shops here in the UK. And white asparagus is my favourite kind! Unfortunately I know that I'm going to be moving house within a year or so and thus there is no point in planting anything yet.

I would say if you have the space then it can be a worthwhile crop, especially since they do keep cropping for many years after the initial wait. But if you only have a small growing area then you might want to dedicate it to something else.

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

It has to be worth it!

For one, (although a little time consuming effort, regarding planting crowns,) your gunna get a 10 to 20 year return! Gotta be good in my books!

I personally have never eaten nor grown "Asparagus" until a few months back!

My gardening buddy n his missus proper "Foodies" asked if it would be possible to set up a bed n have a "Bash" so a "Bash" I had!

Well pleased with the results!



Year 2 this year! May get to harvest "Just a couple!"

And yeah! They taste ace! With a little melted butter!

[planetologist]

I think that if you're space limited it's not worth it. I have a large garden, so I do grow a few asparagus, but I'd say grow as many soft fruit as you can eat before thinking of anything else. Soft fruit are little work, great to eat super fresh, reasonably productive per area, and expensive to buy.

[AllInContainers]

I'm glad you said that, I've got soft fruit galore Thanks for your comments everyone

[Glutton4...]

Is it worth it!? YES!

[KirstieSparkle]

Oooh I'm glad u started this thread, I only just stopped myself from buying some yesterday remembered in the back of my head somewhere about the 2 years.
Also good to see soft fruit is a good bet :-)

Just sorry I can't really contribute anything at the mo.
feel like a little leech sucking all the info out of every1

[AllInContainers]

Well as I said in the OP I've ruled asparagus out for this year (unless I have a late night drunken shopping spree again), but based on what's been said here I may reconsider it next year Soft fruit was a core focus for me this year anyway (even though many will be too young to do much), so I'm happy someone gave that a nod as a priority

Another question on the same topic. How many crowns would be considered "minimum". I know they need harvesting soon after making an appearance, so you need to have a few on the go to get a usable harvest - but how many? I'm assuming those with 20 crowns are dedicating roughly 20 square foot to this crop, which for many of us is unrealistic. Would having just one or two crowns be rather pathetic?

[WendyC]

My dad has given me a bucket of crowns he has split from his well established clump. I am hoping for a second plot soon, but if one doesn't materialise I'm not sure what I'll do with it. Other issue I don't know if I like it! Didn't have the heart to say no thank you. What does it taste like?

[batman]

I've ruled it out for me, but mostly because we might move before the two years are up, leaving the asparagus for the next happy allotment tenant ;-)