Asparagus.

[Anita Plot]

I planted roots a few weeks ago. They are now growing. Am I right in thinking that I just leave them to grow this year and cut a few next year

[WendyC]

Yes that's my understanding too although I've only just planted some myself.

[Alison]

Yes, that's right and only cut lightly next year.

[Pies]

If you can resist next year they will be far better in year two

[Anita Plot]

Thank you. So I will not cut it and I will look forward to the lovely tickly fronds

[Pies]

And watch out for asparagus beetle and its grubs

[Kristen]

You'll proably want to errect something around them (4 posts at each corner and a rope / wire between) to stop the tall fronds falling over

[fishpond]

Having just lost 11 out of 12 plants due to waterlogging take care over the rainy season (winter).

[RaptorUK]

You'll proably want to errect something around them (4 posts at each corner and a rope / wire between) to stop the tall fronds falling over

I planted 21 crowns last week, 11 Gijnlim and 10 Backlim, I was reading that these are less prone to lodging, I also read that the variety I am trying to grow from seed, Sweet Purple, will more than likely need support as it has less lignin due to being bred for sweetness.

[Kristen]

Having just lost 11 out of 12 plants due to waterlogging take care over the rainy season (winter).

Good point. I planted mine in a slightly raised bed and on a couple of handfuls of sand.

Mine were grown from seed, so I am not sure all that relevant to planting Crowns, but I took some photos when I planted them and in case of interest here's a link:

Vegetable Patch | K's Garden | Page 3

[Nickiontheallotment]

Any tips on planting from seed ? Am new to this and fancied trying to grow asparagus.
Thanks nicki


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[Kristen]

Any tips on planting from seed ? Am new to this and fancied trying to grow asparagus.

That's what I did, and the link I posted earlier has some details.

I would recommend growing an F1 "All Male" variety. The Female ones will drop seeds, which will grow, and it adds to the confusion in the Asparagus bed as to what is an existing plant, and what is a seedling. Supposedly the Male spears are thicker, but I have a mix and don't think it makes any difference - they all go in my tummy by the end of the meal

I pricked them out, grew them on until they were potted on into 2L pots, and left them like that for the Summer, following Winter, and then planted them out.

[Alison]

I grew half of mine from seed but didn't really know what I was doing at the time. Simply sowed in about February time inside then gradually potted on to larger pots over the first year. Did intend to plant out the following spring but didn't have the bed ready so ended up leaving them in 5" pots for another year. Whilst I wouldn't recommend this approach it does show that they're pretty forgiving, especially when you consider the pots were just left in the back garden all winter and covered in snow on several occasions. I planted them in a well prepared bed (double dug, weeds removed and a lot of well rotted compost added) probably about 26 months after sowing and a year after I should have done and didn't really know anything about ridges etc and the plants were rather pot bound. Really not ideal but they grew well and started producing well after a couple of years. Got loads off them last year and have great hopes for this year. Funnily enough my other asparagus is from crowns and in theory I followed all the rules but they seemed to take longer to establish. Could be the variety though.


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[Kristen]

they're pretty forgiving, especially when you consider the pots were just left in the back garden all winter and covered in snow on several occasions.

Mine too. I had planned to get them under cover, but asked on the forums and folk said "don't bother", so the pots freezing doesn't seem to be an issue.

I planted them ... and the plants were rather pot bound

I went to the trouble of untangling the roots in the pots when I planted out - to arrange them "star shaped" as is the normal advice for planting Crowns. Dunno if that was necessary though.

[RaptorUK]

Any tips on planting from seed ? Am new to this and fancied trying to grow asparagus.
Thanks nicki

I sowed 25 "Sweet Purple" seeds and after 4 weeks nothing had germinated . . . so I popped them in my electric propagator and within 2 days they were up . . . they need some warmth to germinate. I now have 15 seedlings and still hope for a few more.