[bigginge]

Our local It's a Gift (like Pound Shop, but without the class) was selling a box of 2 asparagus crowns for £1.99, 3 for £5. So this afternoon I made a raised bed, dug it out, put in 2 bags of rotted horse muck, covered with sieved soil and some bone meal and and now have to wait and see what happens. If they do shoot next year will they need any protection? I've read slugs can be a problem.

[pushrod]

Yes slugs will nibble the sides and cause them to grow a bit wonky or worse.
Don't harvest them in their first year.

[corynsboy]

Well the price is right, and you'll get your money back on your first crop.

I'd be concerned if the plants shoot now.  I can’t find anything that says only plant in Spring, but it is more common.  They've got two chances.  If they survive the winter you’re golden.

October is usually the time of year when asparagus is cut back.  April is considered the best time to plant and on this basis I would assume that the plants are unlikely to put on much growth now.  I would hope that your plants stay dormant in the ground but it is still quite warm for mid October.  Finger’s crossed.

Mine were planted on April this year.
http://growingyourownveg.blogspot.com/search/label/Asparagus

Beds will be cut back in a week or two as they go yellow and begin to die back.  Once cut I'll cover mine with drawn up soil and manure as winter mulch and to help define my asparagus bed and protect the plants a bit.  I recommend that you do this too.

[bigginge]

Thanks for the replies. I don't like to waste money, but I figured 6 plants for a fiver won't hurt too much if nothing comes up. And at least I've got a well-manured raised bed to try with new plants in the spring, and getting that ready took up most of the time I spent planting them.