[Grubbypaws]

Having constructed my raised bed for my asparagus I started researching how best to grow them and immediately came across what seems like a major problem.

I read that the time to plant the crowns is early April but I am out of the country next year from the beginning of March until the beginning of June!!! 

Can I plant them in February before I leave or in June when I get back and if so where can I buy them; Suttons say that they only despatch crowns in early April.

Is this the end of my asparagus dream?

[Ice]

Think it might be unless you can persuade a relative, neighbour or friend to put them in for you. 

[johnnyboy]

You need to just buy a packet of seeds and sow them now. Carry on growing them on and plant out next spring. You wont get harvestable asparagus crop before spring 2011.

[gillie]

T & M have asparagus crowns for autumn planting.  They are sent out October/November and there is a choice of varieties.

Cheers,

Gillie

[Grubbypaws]

Gosh, Spoilt for choice!

If I went with the seeds would I be able to plant the babies out in June on my return? Would I need to differentiate between the girls and the boys? Can you recommend a variety?

I have not heard of autumn asparagus. Is it diffent species or the same species sent out at a different time? This would seem a perfect solution but are there any problems with autumn planting? What variety do you recommend?

My dreams live on!   

[gillie]

The T & M ones are the same varieties for both spring and autumn planting.  I don't see why you should not plant in the autumn, especially as they are going in a raised bed so will not be subjected to excess winter wet.   I cannot advise on the varieties they offer as I have not grown any of them but I notice that one variety is early cropping and another late.  If you have the space you could go for the collection of four varieties.

If you go for sowing seeds someone will have to look after your young plants until you return.  I don't think you can tell the girls from the boys until the girls produce fruit, but it is not a huge problem, you just have to cut the berries off before they drop or you end up with a jungle of seedlings.

Cheers,

Gillie

[Ice]

My veg and herb expert book is seriously out of date.  Had a look at the T&M collection and am going to order the set of four.  Thanks for the mention.

[DD.]

Mine's falling to bits.

Have you seen this offer from Amazon - the two together offer slightly down the page?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vegetable-Herb-Expert-D-G-Hessayon/dp/0903505460

[Ice]

I just bought the "expert" book, don't rate that Harrison chappie.

Just for the record, I already have a copy of John's book and it's very good.

[Grubbypaws]

Had a look at T&M and have done several google searches on Autumn varieties and am getting quite excited.

I now can plant my crowns when I am in the country and get a head start on all those spring planting folk. The next queston is which variety?

I think pacific 2000 looks good but it would crop when I was away; i am abroad most years from March til end of May. What I now need is a late cropping variety (June and July) which is also good to grow and eat; disease resistant, tender and sweet!

Any suggestions out there?

So far the suggestions have been great. THANK YOU

[gillie]

In your position I think I would go for Guelph as it is slightly later cropping and looks like a toughy.

I doubt that any of us will be able to give you first hand experience of these varieties as the catalogues keep changing and you only have to plant an asparagus bed every twenty years or so!

Can you manage space for two varieties?

Cheers,

Gillie

[Grubbypaws]

At the moment I only have space for 10 plants but I see no reason why I cant grow 2 varieties. What do you suggest?

[gillie]

If you only have room for ten I would plant all the same variety so that you can get a decent pick at one time rather than very few spears at a time spread over many weeks.

Anyway, T & M only sell them in tens.

Cheers,

Gillie

[Grubbypaws]

My bed is 8 foot by 2 foot so I can probably manage 16 plants. Do you have a second suggestion.

Best wihes

Clare

[gillie]

I think you would be pushing it to get ten plants in there!  Asparagus roots are quite big things, they spread out in all directions and look a little like octopuses.

Cheers,

Gillie