[Snoop]

There's a possibility of a friend bringing me some asparagus crowns.

Does anyone have a recommendation re sources or varieties?

Thanks for any help.

[Elmarto]

I have, just this evening ordered an asparagus collection from Thomson and Morgan, 20 crowns of 4 varieties for £25 plus £5 delivery.

I bought some from b&q last year and prepared the ground thoroughly with grit and manure and planted them I a ridge etc. Out of 6 planted, only one came through 😡

[Snoop]

Thanks for the suggestion, Elmarto.

[AnneB]

This morning I ordered 24 crowns, 12 each of Guelph Millennium and Mondeo from Pomona Fruits for £32 including postage.

Here is a link to a very good article from the Telegraph in 2012 that describes the testing of different varieties the expert featured carried out.   As well as Guelph Millennium and Mondeo,  Pacific Purple and Stewart's Purple were highly rated.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/9228972/Asparagus-to-shout-about.html

[braders1234]

are there any suggestions for  "thick spears" , i have some "normal" asparagus but also would like to grow some of the really thick stuff.

[Snoop]

Thanks AnneB.

braders1234, have you had a look at Connovers Colossal? It supposedly produces thick spears, though I see from a quick Google that not everyone manages to grow thick spears. It's an encouraging name, though!

[AnneB]

Thanks AnneB.

braders1234, have you had a look at Connovers Colossal? It supposedly produces thick spears, though I see from a quick Google that not everyone manages to grow thick spears. It's an encouraging name, though!

The author of article I mentioned above didn't have much success with Connovers Colossal, according to her, it didn't live up to its name and had too many female plants.

[Salmo]

Most varieties are now all-male hybrids. With the old varieties half the plants were male and the other half female. Female plants spend there energy producing berries so have lower yields. The berries also drop and seedlings can be a problem.

I bought Gijnlim from  http://www.asparagus-in-kent.co.uk/planting-crowns/ about 6 years ago and they have been excellent.

[Trikidiki]

I bought Gijnlim from  http://www.asparagus-in-kent.co.uk/planting-crowns/ about 6 years ago and they have been excellent.

I have been trying to relocate that website for the last three years, I bought Gijnlim from them about 5 years ago. They were massive crowns which make the things they sell in garden centres look totally pathetic. They have produced well for the last three years. I seem to recall their website back then said you can take one or two spears in the first year, I didn't but took three spears off each crown in year two. Mine are planted a bit closer than they recommend, I have fifteen plants in an 8'x4' bed.

Only problem is the ferns grow so tall I can't reach the tops to pick the asparagus beetles off.

[Snoop]

Brilliant set of recommendations. I've emailed asparagus-in-kent to see if they deliver abroad, as my friend has now changed her mind about coming over. But I'm all fired up to get some now, so I've been looking at these as well, as they do deliver to Spain.

http://www.blackmoor.co.uk/category/205#

Anyone bought asparagus from here? If I recall rightly, they have a good reputation for fruit trees.

[Salmo]

You may well find that plant regulations do not allow import into Spain to avoid disease spread. You may be better to buy in Spain anyway as the local varieties could suit the climate better.

[New shoot]

Anyone bought asparagus from here? If I recall rightly, they have a good reputation for fruit trees.

They are very good for fruit trees, but when I worked in the garden centre, we bought potted asparagus crowns from them as well as trees to sell.  I always thought the asparagus looked pretty uninspiring.  I have visited the nursery on a behind the scenes visit and saw no signs of asparagus growing anywhere.  I suspect they buy in crowns and just pot them up 

[Snoop]

Thanks for that, New Shoot.

As far as I can tell, Salmo, the crowns can be imported. I've looked at buying crowns locally. Green or white, no named varieties and no idea about early, mid or late season production, and goodness only knows how long they've been in the boxes I've seen them all piled up in, looking very sorry for themselves. Mind you, they are very cheap. Last time I asked, they were 10 euros for 20 crowns. What I will do, though, is have a look online. Thanks for making me think of it.