[3759allen]

looking for peoples opinions please on the viability of growing asparagus in containers?

i have some plastic drums measuring 45 x 40 x 25 that i got to make some large pots to grow in (i usually cut the top off so they are quite tall to grow new spuds in), but before i cut the tops off i had a thought of using them to grow asparagus in next year.

i have no idea what or how to grow asparagus but for some reason i'm thinking they don't root that deep? if this is the case i would be better making large diameter but shallower containers, and if i'm wrong smaller diameter but taller containers.

i'm thinking a mix of sand top soil would be best?

if i could make this work it would be better for me as they could effectively become movable beds. i'm still tweaking with the lay out of my patch and don't really want to put a permanent bed in if it's not going to be suitable in the future.

all help, advice and views very much welcome. thanks 

[Norfolkgrey]

I don't know first hand but when I was having a look around, not that long ago there were several sources saying container grown plants get quickly exhausted so have a very short life span compared to the 15-20 year life span of a permanent bed.  Can you not get away with a mix of both? 

[JayG]

Asparagus has both shallow and deep roots - I don't know how well it would take to being restricted in a container (lots of other plants put up with it) but I do wonder whether something which takes so long to deliver the goods, and then only for a few weeks every year, is really a worthwhile project to take on in containers, which are relatively high maintenance.

[Nobbie]

I've never tried it, but doubt it would work very well as the crop of asparagus is limited by the sugars and starches that the plant can store in it's root system over winter. The container you mention seems quite small compared to the root system I've got on my plants. I found this out when digging nearby and unearthed some very thick long roots a couple of feet away from the crown.

[3759allen]

that sounds pretty unanimous.

think i'll drop that idea and use them for something else.

the other thing that would free up enough space for an asparagus bed would be doing onions in containers. any of you tried growing onions in container?

[Norfolkgrey]

I have only ever seen people do exhibition onions in tubs. Quality isn't an issue its quantity 

[brokenglass]

Onions would work but probably a waste of a container.     

[Hampshire Hog]

What about a few carrots? You could lift up the pot and help defend against the dreaded fly!

Cheers HH

[New shoot]

Individual bulb onions would take up a lot of space and not give you a massive yield from a container, but what about doing shallots, or shallots from seed or spring onions ?

I've seen shallot sets done in big tubs at the show veg garden at RHS Wisley and it was quite impressive how many they had got in a tub at hand width spacings.  Shallots from seed are easy, don't need loads of room and store well.  Spring onions can be sown at intervals in small clumps and would give you a good crop 

[lettice]

Did see an interesting article in June's edition of Grow your own magazine.
They had an article on growing Asparagus peas.
They said;

This unusual veg is fairly easy to look after and has a remarkable flavour with hints of both asparagus and garden peas. The uniquely shaped, attractive pods have four frilly ‘wings’ and the small, shrubby plants

I'm sure they would be ideal growing in containers.

[jazzbyrd]

ASPARAGUS PEAS!! Taste awful! I grew them once never again.

[3759allen]

i'm thinking to put the asparagus bed where the onions are and do onions and Charlottes in containers.

asparagus peas? sounds like a gimmick to me.

 

[JayG]

asparagus peas? sounds like a gimmick to me.

Well, that is what they're called, but to me they don't taste like either, although they produce so little it's hard to tell! Pretty flowers though.