Asparagus is a very tasty vegetable, but when you grow your own and eat it fresh from the garden, the taste is truly amazing! That’s what makes it so special for the six to eight weeks that it’s harvested from late spring to mid-summer.
Now and over the next few weeks is the perfect time to plant crowns. These are young plants grown from seed that can be brought from mail order catalogues or nurseries.
To grow well, asparagus needs a sunny position and good soil, that is well-drained, but moisture retentive. A sandy loam is ideal, but where soil is heavier or very sandy, you can improve it by working in plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost. On clay soils you can also plant on a mound to aid drainage. The site needs to be free from perennial weeds such as couch grass, ground elder, docks and bindweed, otherwise weed control will become a problem.
Once planted the asparagus needs two growing seasons to establish properly to allow it to build up a strong root system. If planting now, it will be spring 2021 before you can start cutting, but then you’ll be able to enjoy your own fresh asparagus for the next 20 years or more!
Step By Step
Step by Step 1
‘Gijnlim’ is just one of the excellent varieties available. Others include ‘Backlim’ and ‘Guelph Millennium’.
Step by Step 2
Dig a trench in prepared soil 30cm (12in) wide and 20cm (8in) deep and form a ridge 15cm (6in) high along it.
Step by Step 3
Space the crowns along the row 30-45cm (12-18in) apart and sit them on the ridge so the long roots straddle it.
Step by Step 4
Backfill with soil so the crown’s top is 5cm (2in) below the surface. Firm the soil and water with seaweed feed.
