Asparagus in not a vegetable crop for the impatient gardener, to get anything near a decent crop it takes 2yrs of growing.
Preparation is everything with this veg, as a good asparagus bed can last for decades and the plant really dislikes disturbance once it gets going.
Soil Preparation:
Good drainage is needed so consider a raised bed system if needs be. A good light position and sheltered from strong winds as the plants ferny foliage is quite tall (4ft). Dig in a good quantity of rotted manure or compost in autumn before planting in the following spring.
Remove all perennial weed roots when preparing the soil, as its almost impossible to do so once the asparagus roots have established without disturbing them.
A week or so before planting cultivate the soil, incorporating a good hand full of general fertiliser per sq yard.
Planting:
Plants are usually supplied as 1yr old crowns, plant these 2½ft apart in trenches 6 inches deep, wide enough to accommodate the long thick succulent roots that should be spread out evenly, rows should be about 3ft apart.
Backfill the trench halfway up, and continue to do so through the summer as the plant grows.
General Care:
Keep the bed weed free by hand weeding and well watered in dry weather. By early November the foliage will die back and can be cut down to 2 inches above soil level.
At the same time top dress the row with a good general fertiliser and mulch the bed with a thick layer of rotted manure/compost to encourage a good supply of shoots next year.
Harvesting:
In the second year after planting the emerging spears can be cut when they are about 4-6 inch high. Cut them below the soil surface, down to 2 or 3 inches using a long narrow knife or a special asparagus knife, which has a serrated edge. Take great care not to damage the crowns.
Cropping should stop around the end of June, to allow the remaining shoots to fully grow and build up strength in the crowns for the following year.
We planted our asparagus crowns this year and were very pleased with the results. However, we have been plagued by asparagus beetle. So far we have dealt with them by handpicking them off the ferns. The eggs were harder to spot and we have had some grubs that we have also removed when seen. Any advice on how to manage this infestation? Preferably organic.
I think that you are already using the only organic way to control these pests Pat.
I’d have to suggest the use of chemicals for this problem, look for one that contains pyrethrum, or one that promises to kill caterpillars, there’s a few to choose from.
At the end of the season when the ferns are cleared away, remove all surface debris around the asparagus bed as this is where the adult beetle over winters.
just moved my two year old asparagus plants from one raised bed to another (october) had no choice any tips?
@Mick
I did the same some years ago, gave it a good feed of fish blood & bone meal in the spring time, and another mid way through the growing season, kept it well watered through out the year. I gave it a couple of years growing to get established before cropping the first spears. Worked a treat.
Best of luck with it.
I have my asparagus ordered for the spring, and am considering underplanting them with dahlias which are deeper, later, and will give organic flowers for the house well into autumn.
What do you say- is is sacrilege or will it work?
@Ruth
I’ve never tried under planting Asparagus, and providing the plants are spaced at a distance so they don’t compete with each other, I can’t think of a reason way it shouldn’t work.
It’s certainly not sacrilege, experimenting is part of the fun of gardening. Best of luck with this idea, and let us know the results. You never know you may have come up with a new gardening technique.