[Rampant_Weasel]

 i finally have some room for an asparagus bed, question is how many crowns did you buy and is it enough? feeding a family of 4 here, i dont want to buy too many or too few giving how long it takes to get your first crop!

[simonwatson]

I bought 24 crowns for a 4' x 12' bed. After a year, two have died, which is not unexpected. I plan to harvest a spear or two (depending on how strong the first spear looks) per plant next year and then go nuts the following year. My kids love it and would eat it with every meal.

Over the 6 week harvest period the year after next I'm hoping to get enough for one or two portions per week.

[solway cropper]

The old books used to recommend 18-24 inches minimum between plants but I've grown them closer with mixed results. I do think it's a plant that you really have to give some attention to in the early years if you want any success.

I'm now experimenting with growing it from seed and transplanting to large containers. So far, so good and I should be pulling a few spears next year.

[Goosegirl]

Their roots look like an orchid's - thick and long, and need space, plus good drainage. I've heard that digging them up is not an option, unless you have a mattock! Better to have fewer and more healthy, productive plants than to squeeze them in a smaller space. You will get more spears - hopefully! 

[Rampant_Weasel]

how many crowns do you have goosegirl?