Asparagus Growing Instructions
Unpack straight away and, if not planting immediately place crowns in a box or seed tray, surrounding the roots with moist peat.
Do not allow roots to dry out.
Good drainage is essential for asparagus. Choose a sunny site sheltered from strong winds. The bed should be prepared in the autumn by digging in well-rotted manure and removing all perennial weeds.
Plant crowns, when soil is not to cold or wet in trenches 30-cm (12 inches) wide, 20 cm (8 inches) deep at intervals of 30 cm (1 ft). Make a mound in the bottom of the trench and spread out each of the roots over it. Cover the crowns with 5-cm (2 inches) of sifted soil.
As the plants grow gradually fill in the trench until it is level with the soil.
Do Not cut the spears in the first year and only cut lightly in the second year.
In subsequent years, harvest the spears when they are 12 – 18 cm (5 – 7 inches) tall, cutting just below the soil surface.
Cropping can continue for about eight weeks after which the ferns should be allowed to grow to build up the crowns food reserves. When the foliage turns yellow in the autumn it should be cut down to ground level and the soil mounded up over the crowns.
