trappa 518 Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 Question for the "pro" gardeners. Ive just had some cracking asparagus crowns delivered from a garden centre (made the mistake of buying pre-packed from a supermarket last year ). Anyway, theyve come and are real healthy but (my error) arent really meant to be planted until april. Should i leave them wrapped up for a month or plant them in pots in the greenhouse?? Cheers trappa Quote Link to post Share on other sites
leegreen 2,221 Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 On 13/03/2011 at 10:18, trappa said: Question for the "pro" gardeners. Ive just had some cracking asparagus crowns delivered from a garden centre (made the mistake of buying pre-packed from a supermarket last year ). Anyway, theyve come and are real healthy but (my error) arent really meant to be planted until april. Should i leave them wrapped up for a month or plant them in pots in the greenhouse?? Cheers trappa "Goggle it" would be better. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BULLDOUG 199 Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 Asparagus IMO is best suited to a raised bed, they like free draining soil. Can you not knock up a raised bed and maybe put a peice of glass over to keep the soil warm or fleece etc? Asparagus takes 3 years before it produces edible shoots, although you do get a wee taster on the second year as you can take half the shoots i think. Add a little fine sand to the soil. D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darbo 4,776 Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 i put mine into pots and planted them out in april into a raised bed.keep well watered and weed free. dont harvest any this year. just let them grow on.in autumn cut down the foliage when it turns yellow to 1 inch above ground.they will resemble ferns.i assume they are 1 year crowns. next year harvest spareingly.the third year harvest when the spears reach 6/7 inches. cut just below the surface of the soil.they should start to crop approx may.it is a long term investment a bed should last you 20 years.the variety i have is gijnlim. my bed is now 6 years old it is the best thing i have done on the allotment.only cut them on the day you plan to eat them as they lose flavour . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paid 935 Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 Plant them now, it will give them time to throw some roots out before they sprout. They are a herbaceous hardy perennial, so no problem about it being too early, they wont start getting away until the soil is warm enough. as has been said, raised beds, with good free draining soil is a must for good crops, and they take years to settle in and throw a good crop, so dont move them about, choose the right place first time. Hense its not really a good idea to plant them in pots, and put out later. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fishfish 17 Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 dress the beds lightly with some road salt once a year too,they like a tiny bit of salt as theyre a coastal plant. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
trappa 518 Posted March 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2011 Cheers boys! Thats why i love this forum! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.