Asparagus - bury gradually or straight away?

[ourarka]

I'm constructing a large raised bed that will be dedicated to asparagus. Autumn seems a good time to plant so looking forward to my crowns arriving. My question is that most (not all) guides recommend covering the crowns with an inch or two of soil, and slowly topping up as it emerges.

Is this necessary and why? It is trickier because I'd rather not have to 'keep' some of my soil that is being delivered. Also, there won't be any new growth for six months, so do I wait until then?

Or, like a couple of sites recommend, do I go ahead and bury six(ish) inches deep straight away?

[It never rains..it pours]

From my one year experience, if autumn planting then shallow and adding soil in spring when they emerge gives a higher crown survival rate, having done both last autumn myself. Replacements this autumn will all be planted shallow. Saying that my soil is on the clay side and it's rather wetter up here in winter, which probably effects method results. Plus side is the ferns are still green and collecting the autumn rays

[ourarka]

Thanks for that - mine going in a big raised bed with lots of great new soil so drainage won't be an issue but good to know what worked for you. I'll see if any others have any experiences or thoughts ....