Asparagus Arrives Early

[Cadalot]

Ok my Asparagus has arrived at the early date in the band given and I do not have the beds ready for it yet! The box has four little breathy holes in it and says "open immediately on receipt" which I have and the three varieties of Asparagus are wrapped in plastic? so what are the breathing hole for?

Anyway my question is do I unwrap them so they can take a breath of will they be OK until Sunday when hopefully weather permitting I can get the bed ready and get them in?

[Penellype]

This might help:
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...elp_26723.html

[Bigmallly]

Mine also arrived Cad but are now planted. They are in a little compost in the bags so should be ok. You could pierce the bags & sit them in a tub of water, I don't think it will harm as they are quite dry.

[veggiechicken]

From Marshall's website Buy Long Cropping Asparagus Crowns Collection Online | Marshalls Seeds :-

How you receive your asparagus plants

You receive your asparagus plants as crowns which look like green stubs attached to lots of roots. This is perfect for planting out now. These roots are covered in a little soil to keep them moist and kept in a plastic or newspaper wrap to prevent the crowns from drying out.

Can't plant straight away?

You can keep your asparagus crowns in their wrap for as long as 3-5 days so long as you make sure the soil part around the roots is kept moist.

Look to planting in their permanent position within 5 days.

[Gillykat]

Eeek! Best get on with my asparagus bed tomorrow then! I've ordered some Mondeo.

At least I've FINALLY worked out where all my veggie beds are going - I've been faffing around all indecisive for the past month or two

[katkatkat]

I've received an email saying mine have been dispatched (though not recieved them today). I don't even have a bed for them yet let alone having it prepared (which I must look up how to do!). Guess that's another thing for Thursday's list.

[bario1]

How to plant asparagus crowns | gardenersworld.com

[bobbin]

Pleeese help I am going around in circles!!
I intend to grow to grow my asparagus crowns (not ordered) 15" apart.
In a bed (ready dug...smug face) However some info states rows should then be 4 feet apart!!
My beds are only 4 feet wide by 8 feet long. Surely can put more than one row in ??
The info I've read seems contradictory when spacing is mentioned. Please can any one advise???

[bario1]

You do need quite a wide spacing I think, the ferns grow pretty big when you let them run riot after the picking season. You could plant a staggered row, like a zig-zag to get more plants in, but I wouldn't plant more than one traditional row in a 4' bed, you'll have foliage all over your paths and I'm guessing the plants will be cramped and therefore produce less/smaller spears?

[Muddy_Boots]

So long as the crowns are kept damp and not soaking wet they will be ok for a week, if you need longer just plant them in large pots in damp compost until you can get them in the ground.

Just been on the plot today to hand weed the two rows of my Asparagus and tomorrow I will be top dressing both rows for this years growing season, here are the rows after weeding and a nice surprise of two spears just peeking out the top of the soil. this is the third year they have been in so I can harvest them properly this year.

[Cadalot]

Muddy Boots do they always grow sideways ?

[Muddy_Boots]

Mine appear to do, tried 3 times to get those pictures the right way around and each time they were turned sideways so gave up in the end and left them like that.

[Bigmallly]

You just can't get the staff these days:

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