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Post by scarecrow on Jun 26, 2010 12:23:46 GMT
If you want value for money on asparagus plants, try www.plantsallyear.co.uk 10 plug plants for under £3 plus postage £2.10 great value for money, or on e-bay 200484591322 excellent plants, these are this years seedlings multi stemmed with very good roots. some over 5 inches high  |
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Post by jean on Jun 26, 2010 21:59:25 GMT
Asparagus is very easy to grow from seed too if you have the time. It can also be planted out in Autumn, some sites are now selling crowns for planting in Sept/Oct. A permanent bed is essential along with lots of good manure and mulch. Patience is also needed for the first 3 years  |
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Post by Dutchy on Jul 6, 2010 19:22:55 GMT
I have my seedlings in pots and they seem very happy. They will go on the new plot in October.
What I would like to know is what preparation I have to make for them.
How deep do I plant. What do I do to the soil and do they really have to be in mounds of soil or can you grow them as green asparagus?
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Post by Dutchy on Sept 3, 2010 7:45:48 GMT
Googled them and I think I know what to do in the meantime.
But I now have a different question.
One is making flowers, should I let it flower in its first year?
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Post by Tig on Sept 3, 2010 12:05:41 GMT
I think I would remove the stem that is flowering Dutchy, let it put all its energy into getting its roots down  x Tig |
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Post by Dutchy on Sept 12, 2010 17:31:36 GMT
I'll be careful as it is just a few buds and the slugs gave the poor plant a beating so I will try to nip the flowers out.
Nice little relaxing job I think.
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Post by Dutchy on Sept 24, 2010 7:41:00 GMT
Me again with two questions.
Is it true that plants that get berries are less tasty than the males which don't?
Does one have to cut back the foliage in autumn or can one let it die down?
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Post by 4pygmies on Sept 26, 2010 18:10:46 GMT
It's best to remove the stems with the berries on them to encourage the energy back into the roots. I cut down the other stems once they have reached that parched colour in late Autumn and then weed thoroughly giving the soil a good raking with a hand tool to discourage the asparagus beetle from over wintering and mulch for the winter. |
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Post by Dutchy on Sept 29, 2010 6:59:05 GMT
Thanks 4P, I read you have to cut everything back once they go yellow and that you have to remove plants with berries but I see people have plants with berries everywhere so I suppose that is a bit of nonsense. Asparagus beetle hm. Why is there a private pest for almost every plant  Mulching is good advise. I still have mine in pots but want to plant on. I can't for now and it might soon be too late. How can I best overwinter them in a pot? |
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Post by 4pygmies on Sept 30, 2010 19:29:04 GMT
Actually I would pot them into new soil and cover the pot with some sort of porous membrane to keep the pests out but let the water in.....I've never grown Asparagus in pots so that's not necessarily right! ;D Try not to let the pots gets too frozen either - maybe fleece them in extra cold weather.... |
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Post by Dutchy on Oct 6, 2010 17:52:02 GMT
It is actually the water I worry about as they do get waterlogged when the plants don't take any.
I'll get them close to the house and keep them dryish or chance it and plant out despite time running late.
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Post by 4pygmies on Oct 9, 2010 17:03:33 GMT
I think they'd always be better in the ground if at all possible, Dutchy |
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Post by Dutchy on Oct 11, 2010 7:40:44 GMT
I'll plant them if I get the bed ready. I am still wrestling with the shed and am as tired as a dog |
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Post by Dutchy on Jan 3, 2011 19:11:30 GMT
Forgot to tell on here that I did plant them and as they are not settled yet I gave them a good mulch and Hessian cover to protect them against the winter. I was just in time with that as winter arrived a week later and has lasted at least this past month and may return anytime.
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