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Hello Charles
I am planning to create a new asparagus bed for about 100 crowns as I have a large family of 8! My soil is not completely clear of perennial weeds so I plan to do a thorough weeding at the end of the summer before planting the crowns in autumn and then mulch between the rows with extra compost and cardboard. Does that sound like a reasonable plan? I do not want to waste my money by not doing things properly.
Should I put 2 rows of crowns along a 5ft bed?
Any other advice for the preparation of the bed would be appreciated.That should give a big harvest.
Yes two rows along a 5 foot bed.
I would cover with polythene until late winter, then remove, plant crowns & spread compost. Autumn planting does not in my experience make a huge time gain compared to spring planting, and gives more time to kill perennial weeds.Hello Charles, Lottie and other potential asparagus growers. May I add a few words of caution on this topic. I am now onto my third asparagus plot , previous two successful but the latest will be from my own four yr. old seedlings and this year I am hoping (fingers crossed) for a bountiful first cut. Over the seasons I have noticed that the best cuts ALWAYS have been from bird sown seedlings that went unnoticed for several years about the property (usually under trees ) so apart from making very sure I had removed as much perennial weed as possible from my new beds (60 crowns) no other preparation, the biggest mistake however was a generous mulching of compost after setting out the crowns, the plants just failed to thrive so after clearing the mulch a slow recovery and I now take particular care with this plot and hand weed, though not today as there was a -10c frost last night. Anything perennial I prefer to plant in early spring.
I should have added a PS – in my experience you can NEVER have too many asparagus crowns .
Interesting comment!
I can only say that my experience is bountiful growth when mulched with compost.
Also when visiting gardens I see weak asparagus in unfed soil.
Lot tie sorry I cannot recommend a supplier, it’s too long since I bought crowns.
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