Asparagus

[sawnee]

I want to grow some asparagus on my plot, would it be ok to use the raised bed I have got pumpkins in at the moment?
  The bed is 8x4 and raised about 6".
  Before the pumpkins went in the bed was well dug over and about 6 bags of well rotted manure went in.
  What is the best type to grow?
  Is it better to grow from seed or buy crowns?
  How many can I get in this bed?
(as you might have guessed Im a complete novice, only had my plot since May)

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Sawnee! I don't think the bed will be big enough - depending on how many crowns you are thinking of growing ofcourse. The crowns need to be spaced about 18 inches apart and the rows about 3 foot apart. I would go for one year old crowns rather than seed, although the seed will be a much cheaper option. You just have to wait an extra year before you can harvest any of the asparagus if you grow it from seed.

[scooby]

  Can I grow asparagus in containers?

[andreadon]

Can I grow asparagus in containers?

no.

[barney rubble]

You can grow in containers - but they need to be very deep ones as asparagus roots go very deep and wide. Don't expect year on year crops tho - good ground usually with a sandy soil is the only way to get regualr crops. This advice came to me from a professional asparagus grower in Shropshire whom I bought some crowns from - they are all sprouting - but I accept this is likely to be a short term growing project

[Salmo]

You will get 10 crowns in your bed. Buy crowns rather than seed and choose one of the male only varieties (e.g. Gijlim) as they are higher yielding and do not produce seed. Crowns will also produce a harvest sooner. Some varieties allow you to take a small harvest in the first year. There is still time to plant as the breeders hold them in cold store to stop them sprouting.
I purchased some from these people and they were excellent
www.asparagus-in-kent.co.uk

[Trillium]

Sawnee, are you saying that you want to plant asparagus at the same time you're growing pumpkins in the bed?
If so, it's not a good idea as the huge leaves of pumpkins will shade the already struggling asparagus as well as steal needed nutrition from the asparagus roots. Pumpkins are heavy feeders.

[sawnee]

Hi Trillium and Salmo, the thread I posted was over a year old, scooby must have been going over old threds to look for information (well done you ) I have now got two beds going nowone was from seed supplied by DD (Thanks again Dave) and the other is crowns supplied by Wilkinsons (cheap as chips  ) both are going well and both beds could have given a few spears this year but thought it best to leave them alone to get their strengh up. Roll on next spring 
PS. I have about 6 plants in each bed.

[Yabba]

In the interest of continuing this ancient thread that has been dragged up from the depths of .... urm ... somewhere ancient .... :roll:

Do I still have time to sow asparagus seed? I'm not bothered by the extra years wait, and I can always cull them down to just males for far less than buying crowns next year

¥

[Trillium]

You can still direct seed them in the garden with markers so that you can determine the success rate. Planted now, they'll have all summer to put up some foliage for food.

[Yabba]

Excellent, that's all I needed to hear, I have a bed I can use for them but it wouldn't be suitable for crowns .... mainly because it'll be under a shed sometime in the next couple of years

¥

[DavidT]

From seed sowing, to proper cropping, 5 years. I would rather pay £2.99 at Wilkinsons for 3 crowns.

[DD.]

Each to their own & it's THREE years to cropping.

I grew 39 crowns from 40 seeds given to me off a neighbours plants. Did it as a little project. Cost me & him nothing & saved quite a lot even at Wilco's prices.

[Yabba]

Crowns are (usually) just 1 year old right? in which case I'd have the same wait next year when I've finally made their permanent bed  if I bought crowns

¥

[sawnee]

Yabba are you intending to grow the seeds and then transplant them later?