[Windsong]

Next year I would like to plant 10 crowns; 2 rows of 5 crowns. How big would I need to make the bed? Or would it be better to make 2 beds?

I have consistently read that crowns should be spaced 18 inches apart (so 7.5 for 5 crowns) but the information regarding row spacing varies. I'm also not sure if they need to be planted a certain distance from the raised bed wall (I'm thinking that the roots might get crowded if planted to closely to the wall).

[JayG]

Bear in mind that when fully established the crowns will be at least 2' in diameter, the root spread about 5' across or more!

that being the case, an 18" spacing between plants is clearly not too generous; you also need to leave room to get in between rows to weed, which I reckon means about 5' between adjacent rows.

(Seem to remember Trillium saying some of hers are growing on a terrace and have their roots constrained by a retaining wall; I'm sure that's fine as long as you don't push it too far!)

[savbo]

I've planted mine rather close together...it's a 12' x 4' bed and I've got them about 18" apart lengthwise and 1' between the rows...but they seem happy enough so far

[Jonajo]

For my main asparagus bed I planted 2 rows, each with 10 crowns, several years ago - each row is a little under 5m long.

However, on the bed I inherited on my new plot there are at least 7 crowns of length that I can work out in a raised bed that is a bit less than 2m wide. They were planted, I gather, about 5 years ago and and there are many healthy spears that have grown this year with more popping up successfully

[Windsong]

Wow. I didn't realise that the roots spread 5' across. I knew they went deep, though.

It seems that I might be better off making 2 beds just to make sure that I don't have any problems weeding, should I need to. Would two 9'x4' beds be big enough for ten crowns?

Since we have clay soil, I was planning on making deep raised beds, does that make a difference as far as spacing?

[Windsong]

bump

[JayG]

Please don't "bump" threads Windsong (see site rules.). It's better to find a way of "refreshing" your previous post.......... 

Raised beds make it much easier to gain access for weeding so despite my earlier post about spacing, in your situation I'd be tempted to try and squeeze them into 1 bed rather than take 2 up (unless you've got unlimited space!)

[Salmo]

I have 2 rows at 30 inches apart. Although you can walk between them I usually hoe the weeds from either side.

[Windsong]

Sorry JayG, I didn't realise that it was frowned upon in this forum. I wouldn't have done it but for the fact that it was on page 2 and I don't often see threads from page 2 answered. Anyway, I know now. 

I've planted mine rather close together...it's a 12' x 4' bed and I've got them about 18" apart lengthwise and 1' between the rows...but they seem happy enough so far

How many rows and crowns do you have, if you don't mind my asking?

[Kimberley04]

I've just planted 10 crowns over two rows, each row is about 3 metres long.  That may be a little economical on space, but it's all I had ...