[Beetroot queen]

I have three asparagus in, new this year but mine have come up really thin with side shoots on (hope that makes sense) I was expecting to see them look like the one in the supermarkets.

I know we cant harvest for ages but I just wondered if maybe the side shoots needed taking off ?

[DD.]

They are no doubt young plants, so don't expect thick spears.

Don't take any foliage off, the spear will develop into a fern, through this the crown will photosynthesise it's food.

[Beetroot queen]

They are no doubt young plants, so don't expect thick spears.

Don't take any foliage off, the spear will develop into a fern, through this the crown will photosynthesise it's food.

We lost three spears to the badger but yesterday I put in a new net frame which is stapled down, we have also placed full buckets of earth around the bed whih hopefully will make him give up

[corynsboy]

Hi BQ

That sounds about right.  I have four beds which I've just put in. 
http://growingyourownveg.blogspot.com/2009/04/worth-wait.html

All four beds have either small top heavy ferns which were thin spears, or small groups of thin spears which will eventually turn into tall spindly ferns in the coming weeks. 

The eventual result will be ferns about three feet tall and nearly as wide at the widest part. 

I'll post some more pictures later this weeks so you can see the progress.

[Beetroot queen]

Thanks for the help, pics were brill and great to see, we only have three plants in but we dont eat huge amounts so I think we will be ok