[brownp]

I am very lucky to live in a village where there is not enough demand for allotments and when I out my name down for one I was at the top of the list (the only one I think).
I found out today that more than one allotment will become available in January so I’m pleased to know that and am already planning the spring plantings etc.
Anyway - my question is this…
As I knew I would be getting the plot, I sowed some asparagus seed in spring. I have about 20 healthy pots with ferns/spears in. I’m assuming they will die back over winter.
When it comes to planting time, do I plant them out in-situ as if they were brassicas etc, or do I remove the one year old crown and lay out on a ridge as you are advised to when buying them as crowns?
My initial thought was to create a pot sized hole and just plant out as if it were a cabbage plant and firm in…
Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance.

[Kleftiwallah]

Good evening brownp,
 I have never grown "sparra grass" mainly because I haven't lived in the same place for long enough, or enough ground to try!  I thought that the plant took ages to grow and even longer to produce spears.

 I'm glad to hear about your lucky allotment find. If you have the choice, take a long hard look at them all.

Cheers,  Tony.

[Hampshire Hog]

I have a mature asparagus bed which I started from crowns.
If your plants are coming from pots then I would be tempted to do what you suggest.
My watch outs would be make sure you plant them in a bed which will drain well and that you have prepared with some manure etc. The logic of planting on ridges is to avoid them rotting hence the need for well drained soil. My other suggestion is to wait two or three years before harvesting. They will grow for 20 years if you prepare well!
Good luck HH

[Potty Plotty Lotty]

I treated them like crowns and took them out of the pots and unfurled the roots over a ridge.

I waited until there was a small amount of growth before I did this to ensure they had survived the winter

[brownp]

Thanks for replies…I found some good information on a previous post as well.

[Nobbie]

I have grown from seed and simply planted out as you would any other potted plant and they have thrived. If you start trying to untangle the roots you will just damage them and set the plants back for no benefit. Once planted out, the roots will go where they want and don’t need pointing in the right direction. Just make sure the bed is well drained, completely weed free and full of plenty of compost/organic matter.