Asparagus Backlim Crowns

Asparagus will flourish in almost all deep, reasonably fertile, free-draining soils and a raised bed is only required on really heavy soils.  The one year old crowns can withstand a light cropping the year after planting, but remember to go easy as they need to establish well!  An asparagus bed can remain productive for 20 years or more, so is a wonderful investment for any household.  Once planted, the crop requires only minimum attention, but will reward you with delicious spears from April to June – and believe us when we say that no asparagus matches that which you will cut from your own garden and eat within an hour or two.

Spring is the best time to plant an asparagus bed, and that is when we supply crowns to our customers.  Of course the quantity of crowns you can grow depends on the space you have available, but we do recommend a minimum of 30 to ensure a worthwhile bunch at each picking.

Preparation and Planting
Eliminate all perennial weeds.  Dig the plot to a good depth and incorporate plenty of well-rotted farmyard manure, home-made compost or leafmould.  Just prior to planting, apply a dressing of a well-balanced, compound fertiliser.

Unpack the crowns carefully and trim off any broken or damaged roots.  Soak the roots in water for a few hours or even overnight prior to planting.

Plant as soon as possible after receipt.  Use a spade to make to make a shallow trench, slightly raised in the centre, and wide enough to take the crowns with their roots spread out.  Space the crowns 12-16 in apart with their roots spread out.  Take care not to damage the “breaking” buds, which should be 4in below the surface of the soil when planting is complete.  This planting depth is important.  Deeper than 4in and the crowns may rot, shallower than 4in and there are the risks of frost damage and excessive moisture loss in dry spells. 

Cover the crowns with fine topsoil, refill the rest of the trench and firm, gently leaving a slight central ridge running down the centre of the row.  If planting more than one row, allow 3ft between rows.  Water well, and continue to do so in dry spells until the plants are well established. 

Harvesting
No spears should be cut in the same year as planting to allow the plants to establish.  A light crop can be taken in the following year, as soon as the spears reach 4-5in high. 

Cut the spears 3in below soil level, ideally using a special asparagus knife (available from our catalogue and a good investment for the serious grower) or other sharp knife.  Cut frequently (once established Asparagus grows quickly!) and do not allow the spears grow more than 6in above soil level before harvesting them.  The first harvest should stop in late May irrespective of how many spears remain uncut this will give the plants chance to grow stronger for the following year’s harvest.  In subsequent years, when the plants are fully established, harvesting can continue until mid June. 

After harvest
Allow the fern emerging from the remaining spears to grow unchecked until the autumn.  Strong, healthy fern growth is essential to the long term welfare of the plants.  Do not be tempted to cut it for household display with cut flowers!  A light dressing of a high nitrogen fertiliser is beneficial in June or July.

In early autumn, as the fern yellows and dies back, the bed can be cleaned up ready for the onset of winter.  Cut the dead fern back to within 3in of soil level, and destroy it.  Never leave it on the bed itself.