[GardenShed]

Im thinking of building a couple of high raised beds that are narrow compared to the standard 1.2m width.  I would perhaps use one for salad and various other veg, but in the other raised bed I was thinking of planting asparagus as a permanent bed.

How wide would the bed have to be to do this and what is the spacing required for in between asparagus plants?

Would there be any issues in growing asparagus in a narrow bed?

Thanks a lot.

[RaptorUK]

Im thinking of building a couple of high raised beds that are narrow compared to the standard 1.2m width.  I would perhaps use one for salad and various other veg, but in the other raised bed I was thinking of planting asparagus as a permanent bed.

How wide would the bed have to be to do this and what is the spacing required for in between asparagus plants?

Would there be any issues in growing asparagus in a narrow bed?

Thanks a lot.

I've planted Asparagus crowns this year using 45cm spacing between plants and rows.

More info:  http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardening/Grow-Your-Own/Grow-Your-Own-Veg/Veg-A-to-Z/Asparagus

[GardenShed]

Thanks. Well if two plants need 45cm between them, then I guess that's 22cm of space that each individual plant needs around it, which would mean a narrow bed with a one row of crowns would need to be about 45cm wide (2 x 22cm - for both sides of the crown).  Does a 45cm wide bed sound enough?

Also, please can anyone tell me how much asparagus will 4 crowns produce?  I think that's what I would be able to fit into a raised bed which is a metre long.  How many asparagus plants do most people have on their plot?

Thanks

[sunshineband]

My daughter grew he asparagus in a long narrow bed at he previous house and it worked just fine: 45cm wide sounds good.

As to how much you would get from 4 plants, I can only say that mine are now in their fourth year. I cut about six or seven spears from each before letting the others grow up to be fern.

Others' crops might vary; I'll be interested to see 

[GardenShed]

Great.  How many asparagus plants do you have?

[sunshineband]

Great.  How many asparagus plants do you have?

I have thirteen now (started with 15 but two didn't make it)

[afcb]

I planted 11 asparagus in January 2013. Would summer 2013 be considered year 1 ? This year (2nd year) I have 1 or 2 shoots per crown, do I leave them ? One shoot is 15'' high !

[RaptorUK]

I planted 11 asparagus in January 2013. Would summer 2013 be considered year 1 ? This year (2nd year) I have 1 or 2 shoots per crown, do I leave them ? One shoot is 15'' high !

It's best to leave them if you can resist,  it will make for a better harvest next year and subsequent years. 

If you can't resist you can take a small harvest for no more than 3 weeks . . .  don't take the 15" shoot, it's too big and will probably be woody.