[Jo]

Hello all!

I have some raised asparagus beds at the north end of my plot and I am wanting to plant some Jerusalem artichokes in front of them. Will they cast too much shade? I thought maybe the 'chokes' will not have grown too tall by the end of the asparagus's growing season to interfere much. And asparagus is a fern isn't it? And ferns like shade don't they? Please help!

[Trillium]

Asparagus sprouts produce a fern-like leaf when allowed to keep growing. not sure if they're actually part of the fern family, but I wouldn't shade them with chokes. The chokes, according to people cursed with them, will keep trying to take over the plot and asparagus roots really don't like to be interferred with. True, you can move them, but at the temporary expense of cropping.

If you must plant chokes, plant them north of the asparagus crop and at least 2-3 ft (1M) away.

[Jo]

Thanks Trillium!
I didn't realise chokes were so invasive! <eek!> I shall find somewhere a bit more 'confined' to pop them a long way away from my asparagus beds!

[gobs]

Yes, I would regard what Trillium says as a bare min and would urge you even further if you can.