Asparagus 2018

[It never rains..it pours]

My autumn planted ones are only just coming through so would think this spring planted be a little while yet. If wet weather slugs can have a go on emerging shoots. From last years outcome, I think its better to mound the soil up after they have emerged as the 4" originally planted ones are poor vs the 2" and then 2" more baulk up last year

[Small pumpkin]

I have asparagus!!!
I spotted one tiny little spear about a inch out of the tub. I may of noticed it easier but I was looking for green shoots. This little fella has a definite purple tinge to it. It's so exciting .
Another 2 years and I'll be able to pick it.

[mrbadexample]

Mibne are a mix of one year old crowns on the right and crowns grown from seed in Jan' 17 on the left.
I wont be harvesting either this year......roll on 2019..!!

Where are you growing those geepee?

[geepee]

^^^^
I,m v limited for space MBE, so I made a Raised bed from an Upcycled wardrobe plus other timber. 2mtrs x 45 cm x 60 cm deep.
Its not ideally as big as I would have liked but seems to be working ok.
From memory it holds about 250 lltrs of compost.

[4Shoes]

Seeds went in today. 2 months to germinate, 3 years to cropping and many, many bumps along the way I expect.

[geepee]

Seeds went in today. 2 months to germinate, 3 years to cropping and many, many bumps along the way I expect.

I sowed seed in Jan ' 2017 in the propagator,it only took approx 10/14 days and was 99% germination.
Plants grew at an alarming rate in U/H glasshouse and were planted out in late April the same year.
Ferns removed just prior to Christmas and mulched with FYM .
Today they are as photo above.

Seedlings definitley DO NOT like too much water, the crowns will be fine in well drained soil and they will not stand weed competition.
Other than that you shouldnt have too Bumpier journey with them.

As a matter of interest, I bought some crowns from the GC at the same time and planted them in the other half of the bed, the seedlings are much taller and thinner than the crowns which are slower but growing thicker and looking more like edible size shoots.

I rang the grower of the crowns to ask about harvest age etc.
Their answer was.....Crowns are a minimum 2 yrs old at package and despatch.
If at the first new cropping stage the spears are sizeable and healthy looking etc, it does NO HARM to harvest Lightly and SELECTIVELY.
Hope this helps.
Gp

[mrbadexample]

^^^^
I,m v limited for space MBE, so I made a Raised bed from an Upcycled wardrobe plus other timber. 2mtrs x 45 cm x 60 cm deep.
Its not ideally as big as I would have liked but seems to be working ok.
From memory it holds about 250 lltrs of compost.

Looks ok to me! How long do you reckon that wardrobe will last though?

[geepee]

^^^^^ Obviously it has a limited life span as do all things.
Taking into account my Health Status the 'Wardrobe' ha, stands a VERY good chance of outlasting me ,
Hope this helps to answer your question and/or concern and solve your confusion MrBE.
Gp.

[4Shoes]

gp

Good to know on germination. .... was just thinking that soak for 2 days and then 2 month is a pot in and bag was a bit much - I'd forget all about them

[mrbadexample]

^^^^^ Obviously it has a limited life span as do all things.
Taking into account my Health Status the 'Wardrobe' ha, stands a VERY good chance of outlasting me ,
Hope this helps to answer your question and/or concern and solve your confusion MrBE.
Gp.

I was just thinking that asparagus crowns can last for a good few years so might outlast their container.

I've planted 8 crowns today, Gijnlim and Millennium. I have two spares so I'll see if I can find somewhere to put them in on the offchance they'll do something.

[Issy]

Hello Muck Lover. Have just had asparagus plants delivered - all we have in our tunnel at the moment apart from seeds are strawberries which are in flower - would it be worth planting the asparagus as lookiking at your post that's where yours are! We will be planting tomatoes as soon as they are ready so just wondering what you think - many thanks!

[Vince G]

First pickings from the weekend in the photo. Cut about 20 more today. Everything's a bit earlier living in tropical Suffolk I think. We have 5 10 foot rows, the plants are now in year 4. Stinky wee season is in full flow

[Muddy_Boots]

Just picked 5 from plot 1 on Monday, mine are still mainly hiding as its still a bit cold in the midlands. Just put in a 3rd row of a dozen Gijnlim crowns which were given to me by my neighbor as he could't use them and got them all for 20p total (think the garden centre he got them from made a bit of an error)

They won't be ready to be harvested until year 3 anyway but they are all putting up ferns already.

[Mr Bones]

I was just thinking that asparagus crowns can last for a good few years so might outlast their container.

Asparagus crowns transplant quite well. We moved ours 18 months ago, the roots are huge so it's no easy task but the plants are fairly tough.

[mrbadexample]

Asparagus crowns transplant quite well. We moved ours 18 months ago, the roots are huge so it's no easy task but the plants are fairly tough.

I did think about moving the ones from the old house as they're reasonably well established - must be about 5 years in by now. However I had problems with asparagus beetle so thought I'd be best to start off with new.

Will I need to fleece them in the predicted forthcoming cold snap?