[Coldfeet]

This my first year of growing, so thrilled that one of my 9 asparagus crowns, planted in February, has finally produced a spear!   Ok, so it's tiny, and I'm told I can't eat any this year, but at least there is life!

[Wigglesworth12]

Congratulations. I planted my crowns three winters ago, so I am anticipating my first harvest this year. I have a couple of spears starting to emerge. Time will fly by and you will be able to harvest your own soon.

[allotmentann]

It is such a good feeling to see something grow successfully, well done!

[afcb]

My asparagus arrive on Sunday morning. I have prepared a bed but have been told today that I should plant them on a small mound of sand, is this correct or beneficial?

[Peas let my pumpkins grow]

I know how you feel cold feet my first few spears have just peeped up! It's going to be torture not cutting - my mouth is watering already!

I read that too acfb about the sand ( but not until I'd already planted of course !!! ) apparently asparagus doesn't like sitting in puddles and that might finish the plant off so sand seems like a viable solution.  Mine will have to like it or limp it I'm afraid 

[Mark's Sussex Allotment]

I planted 12 x 2 year old crowns in October and can't touch the ones coming through now too.

I wanna eat!!

[R6robbo]

I planted 2 crowns last autumn and thought they had rotted away so was going to
use the bed for something else. When i went to dig it over, lo and behold there was
a single spear there!.........They live!

So is it really 3 years before you can eat any?

[JayG]

So is it really 3 years before you can eat any?

I doubt whether there are many people who didn't accidentally break off one spear from each plant in year 2 and ate them rather than trying to graft them back on! 

[R6robbo]

Ah i see......so next year if i accidentally broke off a couple of spears
I'd be better off eating them than trying to reattach them?

Oh well accidents happen. 

[JayG]

Indeed, but make sure you only have one accident per plant. 

[R6robbo]

Ok thanks, i won't be too clumsy. 

[simonwatson]

My crowns are just starting their second year. I built a deep raised bed for them rather than planting on sand, as our site is subject to occasional flooding. This year's spears are just coming through and they are significantly sturdier than last year's. I'm going to try and be disciplined and not have any accidents as I'm going to harvest them next year without mercy until June 22nd.

[BabbyAnn]

I had to leave my bed of well established asparagus when I gave up the other plot  so last year grew some from seed.  I planted them out in a nursery bed in October and have been anxiously looking out for signs of life this past couple of weeks when .... first one, two, and in a space of 24 hours, the rest of the 12 plants have all thrown up a baby spear     I'm so excited and pleased - growing from seed was remarkably easy and so much cheaper than buying crowns.  Now, just have to wait a couple more years or so 

[R6robbo]

I had to leave my bed of well established asparagus when I gave up the other plot  so last year grew some from seed.  I planted them out in a nursery bed in October and have been anxiously looking out for signs of life this past couple of weeks when .... first one, two, and in a space of 24 hours, the rest of the 12 plants have all thrown up a baby spear     I'm so excited and pleased - growing from seed was remarkably easy and so much cheaper than buying crowns.  Now, just have to wait a couple more years or so

Well done you! I never even thought about growing from seed, might give it a whirl
after hearing your story. 

[Mark's Sussex Allotment]

Out of all the things you can grow. I think growing asparagus from seed, must be the most rewarding.