[Eristic]

I've been looking for a couple of years for 3 yr old crowns and hav'nt had any luck in finding them Sad

If you'd have sown some seed you would be almost there by now.

[naturesparadise]

just got this email from T&M it was very good  info sent so thought id post this here for others

Dear Darren

 

Thank you for your recent enquiry.

 

Crowns supplied by Thompson and Morgan are year old crowns, spring planted varieties are planted late March to April . Autumn planted varieties as first year crowns are planted October/November. Crowns should never be planted in waterlogged soils or when the ground is frosted. If planting is delayed for a few days keep the roots moist by wrapping in a damp cloth, place in a cool but frost free location.

 

Asparagus plants are a long term crop and a well managed Asparagus bed can be productive for 15 – 20 years.

 

Choose a free draining, open, sunny situation sheltered from strong winds and prepare the site by digging well and removing all weeds but paying particular attention to the removal of perennial weeds. A weed infested Asparagus bed is difficult to manage.

 

As you dig incorporate liberal quantities of well rotted manure or compost. When the crowns arrive dig a trench about 20cm (8”) deep and approximately 30cm (12”) wide to allow each individual crown to have its roots fully spread out. Create a mound about 7cm (3”) high along the bottom of the trench for the crowns to rest on, letting their fleshy roots spread either side of the mound. Set the crowns 37-45cm (15-18”) apart. Cover carefully with 5-7cm (2-3”) of soil firming as you go but take care not to damage the roots. If planting more than one row allow at least 75cm (21” – 2ft) between rows

 

As the plants grow gradually fill in the trench, hand weed the bed as necessary as hoeing can damage the tender roots.

 

It is essential that the crowns do not dry out during their first summer period, do not cut any spears during the first season but allow them to develop foliage (ferns). This allows the crowns to absorb energy through photosynthesis and increase in size and vigour. Cut down the foliage in late autumn once it has yellowed and liberally cover the plants with well rotted organic matter. In March each year dress with a balanced general fertiliser, carefully raking in 30g (1oz) per plant. In the second year one or two spears could be harvested during April/May, but it is from the third year after planting that full production commences.

 

Stop harvesting spears towards the end of May, allow further spear production to develop into foliage as above, this will allow energies back into the crowns for the next seasons production.

 

We hope the above information is helpful, and if we can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

Kind Regards

 

Janet Challis
Technical Customer Care Advisor

[agapanthus]

Muntjac used to grow asparagus in an acre field before we moved up here.  

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http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=1827&highlight=asparagus

 

 


  All the advice you've been given is the way he used to grow it apart from one thing.....he mounded the soil ontop of the plants and then flattened it making sure that the  flattened mound is about 15" high. Asparagus hates to be sat in moisture and by growing it this way the water runs straight through.

[polly tunnel]

I planted 20 1 year old crowns two years ago. My asparagus bed is 15 feet by 7 feet. I have not had a spear yet as instructed but they look particularly weedy (in stature that is) and i am giving them one more year to buck up or they are out. I am encouraged by the comments that other guys have had the same start yet still achieved a good crop on year three. everything I have read says lots of poo and well weeded should give good crop..hummmmm we'll see.

[mor]

its usually best to  grown them when its a 1 year crown
http://gardening-tips-idea.com/HowtoGrowAsparagus.html

[SnooziSuzi]

I planted 20 1 year old crowns two years ago. My asparagus bed is 15 feet by 7 feet. I have not had a spear yet as instructed but they look particularly weedy (in stature that is) and i am giving them one more year to buck up or they are out. I am encouraged by the comments that other guys have had the same start yet still achieved a good crop on year three. everything I have read says lots of poo and well weeded should give good crop..hummmmm we'll see.

Mine were sold to me as 2yo crowns and mine are still weedy looking;  You need to give them some time in the ground to establish, send out some new roots and to put on some good growth... no good giving them a "bulk up or you're out" ultimatum - they can't hear you and will still need another year to establish  :roll:

[gobs]

Muntjac used to grow asparagus in an acre field before we moved up here.  

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http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=1827&highlight=asparagus

 

 


  All the advice you've been given is the way he used to grow it apart from one thing.....he mounded the soil ontop of the plants and then flattened it making sure that the  flattened mound is about 15" high. Asparagus hates to be sat in moisture and by growing it this way the water runs straight through.

Well, you often get told how to suck eggs for no reason. :roll:

The interesting part is  that SOMETIMES  you learn something even if you've done it for half a century. :oops:  

[woodburner]

Bob Flowerdew recommends growing your own from seed as they establish better. I think he also recommends the four year rotation system too which seems a lot easier for beginners, especially those who like asparagus a lot. (So might cut too many spears for the plant to survive anyway.)

[agapanthus]

Muntjac used to grow asparagus in an acre field before we moved up here.  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=1827&highlight=asparagus

 

 


  All the advice you've been given is the way he used to grow it apart from one thing.....he mounded the soil ontop of the plants and then flattened it making sure that the  flattened mound is about 15" high. Asparagus hates to be sat in moisture and by growing it this way the water runs straight through.

Well, you often get told how to suck eggs for no reason. :roll:

The interesting part is  that SOMETIMES  you learn something even if you've done it for half a century. :oops:  

Very true Gobs!

[SalJ1980]

Bob Flowerdew recommends growing your own from seed as they establish better.

Glad to hear that woodburner, as I stupidly ordered asparagus seed without thinking...I KNOW that you buy them as crowns but didn't think about that as I ordered.  :oops:








Thinking about it, that was the same order where I chose Japanese onion seeds instead of sets, also by accident!  :roll:  

[gobs]

We have been through this in the past, I think the general concensus was you needed loads of space to make something of this brilliant idea of Bob's of treating  decades long lived perennials as a short lived stuff.