[Maccbean]

I planted some Backlim Asparagus Crowns last year, but so far this year there's no sign of growth, not a peep; does that mean they're dead?  I hope not, cos they cost me a fortune!

[JayG]

If you saw the pic someone posted a few days ago of their asparagus already producing spears you might well be starting to panic (I'm not, nothing showing on mine yet and they've been in about 7 years!)

When did you plant them?

[Maccbean]

I didn't see the picture, so yes, now I'm panicking.  I think I planted them around now.  I ordered a lot of stuff and the one year old crowns arrived some time after when it was ready to plant.  Spears came up last year and I didn't cut any.

[JayG]

If they came up last year there's no reason to suspect they won't this year unless your soil is completely unsuitable (waterlogging being what they hate most of all.)

[DD.]

The ones that were showing were further south.

Mine are not through yet and I don't expect them to be for another few weeks and you are further north than me.

(Although this warmer weather may encourage them!).

[lucywil]

I've got 5 rows, 2 of 1 sort and 3 of another ( the names of which escape me at the moment) the 2 rows are showing and I think I will be picking at the weekend but the others are showing no signs of life yet, so it just goes to show that different varieties start at different times

[Salmo]

Looks like asparagus is on the move. My neighbouring plot cut some last week, mine are not showing yet.

If you planted these last Spring you should limit your picking to the first three weeks and then leave them to grow up and build up their roots.

Next year you will be able to cut until the longest day, 21st June.

[BabbyAnn]

My experience is that young crowns are always slow to emerge after planting anyway - roots need to grow and get established in new surroundings while temperatures are just starting to rise, so all perfectly normal.  Mature crowns on the other hand have a good food store and push up at the first sign of spring 

[DD.]

Mine aren't!

[Trillium]

Asparagus shows up when it's good and ready and not until then. If there's something not quite to its liking, it'll sulk. But eventually things will warm up enough to encourage it back out.

Cleared off my patch the other day and found 2 sprouts testing the air but it turned very cold again and the rest went back to sleep. 

[Paulj]

I took a chance on a reduced Asparagus pot from our local garden centre last year, knowing that this year would be ok to pick them.  I thought they had died over the winter, but in the last week or two I've seen spears coming up - one in particular is about 5 inches now and just starting to turn the right shade of green.  I thought I only had 3 spears, and now I can see more coming through too.  Rather glad I didn't chuck it, and chuffed that it only cost me £2!

[heloise]

Not a peep out of mine that we put in last year as one year old crowns so far. Hoping they're just building up a bit of confidence to show their faces 

[sunshineband]

We are darn sarf and there is no sign of asparagus spears on our plot.... three year old crowns.

No worries --- they poke up when ready 

[Jonajo]

had my first pickings last night. For me they are the most exciting of all the veg to look forward to each year.

[emptydraw]

Im in Essex, lots of 20degC days recently but still no sign of mine. 10 plants in a raised bed, lots of ferns last year, so I just think its just too early. Have faith, all plants want to live, except maybe cucumbers!