Asparagus ? best site

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by slugbug, May 11, 2006.

  1. slugbug

    slugbug Gardener

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    I have grown some asparagus from seed and need to now choose a permanant site for it in the garden.
    I have an area behind my summer house which is mostly in the shade until afternoon.Is this suitable?
    I have never grown it before and know you have to wait 2 yrs and it has only a short season.
    Any helpful advice on growing asparagus would be welcome.
    Thanks
     
  2. Liz

    Liz Gardener

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    I found this:

    Prepare Garden for Planting

    Select a deep, well-drained soil in a sunny location. If manure or compost is available, incorporate it to nine inches during soil preparation.

    Make furrows three to six feet apart, six to eight inches deep.

    In the furrow, dig holes one to two feet apart to accommodate the seedlings. Seedlings transplanted with plugs survive the shock of transplanting better than those without plugs.

    Transplant Asparagus Seedlings

    Place one seedling in each hole. Fill up any empty space around the roots or plug with more soil. Press to insure good contact with the roots. Water abundantly, if necessary.

    Asparagus seedlings can be transplanted any time during the spring or summer, whenever the seedlings are ready (generally, 8 to 10 weeks after seedling emergence). Late planting in the fall is possible but survival rates may not be as good.

    Let Them Grow

    When the asparagus tops (ferns) are two feet tall, fill in the furrows to make a flat surface. Avoid damaging the roots during cultivation. Let the ferns grow until frost and/or low temperatures kill them.

    Early frost or low temperatures will kill the ferns, but the underground crowns will survive and become dormant during this period. It is from the crowns that asparagus spears will emerge in the spring.

    Mow and Bed the Garden

    In about mid-February, when the ferns are completely dead, clean the field by shallow cultivation with a hoe, Rototiller or mower. Make a bed two to three feet wide and six to eight inches high over each row. Non-bedded asparagus plants produce early spears but they are small and more fibrous. A bed also will protect the underground crowns during cultivation.

    Harvest

    Asparagus grown from seedlings should be allowed to grow three full seasons before the first harvest. It can be harvested every year thereafter. The length of harvest will depend on how well the plant did during the previous growing season.


    My asparagus is in semi-shade from midday on. I think it's more important that the soil is well prepared. Like a lot of veg. it prefers slightly alkaline soil. My rows are also not even 3' apart, more like 1'!
    If you have room in your garden I think it's well worth growing!
    [​IMG]
     
  3. slugbug

    slugbug Gardener

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    Thanks for all that info,it seems really useful,
    My asparagus was still in the greenhouse so I am desparate to get the bed ready and needed to make sure I choose right.
    I know we have to wait a few yrs but my 10yr old son loves to eat it as well as us so I need enough to feed us well.I have 72 ferns grown.
    I think mine will also have to be 1' apart
     
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