[Goosegirl]

In April I planted my first asparagus bed which is a raised one. I marked out the plan as a staggered planting scheme so I could fit in 12 crowns instead of 10 crowns all in a line. Somehow (a big, blonde, senior moment), they have come up not staggered at all and appear too close together (about 9"). What can I do? Is it too late to replant or is the fact that it is a raised bed mean that I can get away with planting closer than usual? Help!!

[gillie]

What variety are they?

If it is one of the varieties which includes female (less productive) plants you may wish to leave things as they are until you have identified the females and then dig them out, even if it leaves your bed a bit uneven.

Cheers,

Gillie

[Goosegirl]

The variety is Ginjlim so should be all male.

[barney rubble]

The variety is Ginjlim so should be all male.

How do you tell if asparagus is male or female, or do you just rely on the supplier to tell you so ....and if so...how do they know?

[Yabba]

Wait until they grow into ferns, unlike humans the one with "balls" is the female

¥

[barney rubble]

Wait until they grow into ferns, unlike humans the one with "balls" is the female

¥

Hey thats the straighest and hardest hitting yet Yaba - like yer style 

[Trillium]

Because the crowns are so recently planted, even though they're up, you can still carefully dig them up and move them. Use fingers as much as possible to not break roots, or as few as possible and move them....now. Later in the season and you might as well chop them out. And do try to keep a clump of the soil with the rootball which will ensure better success.

[Goosegirl]

Thank you Trillium - will do as soon as poss.