[Grubbypaws]

Thank you Gillie. I will take your advice!

[Trillium]

You'd be better to only put in 6, to a max of 8 plants in the 2'x8' bed. They really do need the root space. Recommendations are 1-1/2' per plant, but in a squeeze, 1 ft but never less. As gillie says, the roots really are huge when they get older and if you crowd them now, they're a beast to move later when you find your crops struggling. You can crop for over 20 years and its better to maximize a little than squeeze in a lot.

[Grubbypaws]

OK so i will be planting Guelph in the autumn. Thank you all for your advice!!

That means I have to get a move on to fill my raised bed. Lots of 'how to grow' sites suggest using well rotted manure which I dont have; I have just looked to buy some on the internet and was shocked by the cost.

What I do have is plenty of well rotted garden compost; nothing escapes my composting addiction! Can I fill my raised bed entirely with my compost?

[mikem]

OK so i will be planting Guelph in the autumn. Thank you all for your advice!!

That means I have to get a move on to fill my raised bed. Lots of 'how to grow' sites suggest using well rotted manure which I dont have; I have just looked to buy some on the internet and was shocked by the cost.

What I do have is plenty of well rotted garden compost; nothing escapes my composting addiction! Can I fill my raised bed entirely with my compost?

Have you tried a local riding stables for manure.  The local ones to us are pleased to get rid of it for free.  If transport is a problem our local one will deliver a big, and I do mean big, trailer load for a tenner.

[Grubbypaws]

Thank you Mikem, I will enquire. How long does it take for the manure to become 'well rotted'?

Trillium, you are not alone in your concern that I am trying to fit too many in. The raised bed is 24" deep so I was hoping the roots would have plenty of space.

[mikem]

Thank you Mikem, I will enquire. How long does it take for the manure to become 'well rotted'?

Trillium, you are not alone in your concern that I am trying to fit too many in. The raised bed is 24" deep so I was hoping the roots would have plenty of space.

I would say idealy 12 months but with your bed 24" deep you could say fill the bottom 12" or so with the manure and let it rot there and fill the other 12" with soil.  If you can collect from the stables they sometimes have it stacked in a field and you could then get some of the older stuff.

[Trillium]

Asparagus roots spread more widthwise than depthwise. While 2 ft deep is nice, it's the width you must think about, hence the spacing suggestion I offered. If you've ever seen a mature asparagus root out of the soil, it can easily match the width of a small tree root. Old manure is useful in the asparagus bed, but not essential if you have lots of good compost. And do throw in a bit of lime as asparagus isn't an acid loving plant. When planting, do mound a handful of sand first then spread out the roots so the crown sits right on top of the firmed mound. This ensures good drainage, otherwise the crown can waterlog in sitting water and rot.

[gillie]

Sand, give them plenty of sand.  Asparagus was originally a seaside plant and yes, the roots spread sideways. 

I would not put less than very thoroughly rotted manure/compost in the bottom of the trench because as it rots the bed will sink disturbing the roots.  I really prefer to put compost or manure on top of a bed and let the worms take it down.  Seaweed is good for asparagus, but I guess you do not have too much of it in Derbyshire.

Cheers,

Gillie

[barney rubble]

If you are struggling to find horse muck - the garden centres do often supply plastic sacks of it - my local one does 2 for 3 at around £8 - better than nothing if you can't find a supplier locally . I worked out it was the better option for me, as going to the stables cost both fuel, plastic sacks, energy in filling the bags and time. Up to you tho.

I'd well recommend Guelph tho - I've got Millenium and they are one year crowns and have come on a storm!

[Grubbypaws]

A big thank you to you all  from the chilterns to Canada and all points in between

I cant believe I have gone from no hope yesterday (sorry ICE) to a detailed plan of action today!!

I promise I will let you know how my asparagus tastes in 2 years time.

[sloworm]

You have me getting excited now  but I have brussel sprouts in the bed I had planned for asparagus next year hummm i feel a rethink coming on  will asparagus grow in a spot that gets sun all morning but looses it in the after noon?

[Trillium]

Asparagus will grow almost anywhere as long as it can get rooted. Half day sun is no problem for it if you can give it prepared soil.

[sloworm]

Thanx again Trillium