Asparagus

[Scott Henry]

Has anyone ever grown Asparagus? This is my favorite vegetable and from what I read it will grow back every year. Anyone have any experience growing this?

 

[FarmerJamie]

Years ago, yes. Raised bed, paid extra for the 2 year old crowns (harvest third year). Need to keep the bed cleaned and moist. And when that beautiful harvest starts coming in, keep the blankety blank chickens out. Lolol.

If I had property to garden, would be one of the first beds to put in.

 

[Britesea]

My MIL had a bed that had been growing for 25+ years. According to DH, you have to thin the bed out once in a while or the roots get too crowded to make big fat shoots. I haven't had mine long enough for that to be a problem, lol- we had our first asparagus feed this past spring and it was.... WONDERFUL. I do know you can't let stuff like blankety-blank quack grass get in there or it will choke out the asparagus. The most important thing though, is to prepare the soil very very well. After all, those roots are going to be in there for years. You can top dress with fertilizer of your choice every year, but that doesn't replace having a rich humusy soil to start with. Oh, also-- do not overwater or the roots will rot. (don't you love when they say something like that and you're asking - How much is Too Much???)

 

[Mini Horses]

It does grow better each year. Put it where it can stay. Takes couple years to establish well. Buy roots a couple yrs old to help production be sooner for you.

 

[NH Homesteader]

I have not grown it but I really want to, so I'm watching this thread. I'm the only one in the house who likes it so it'll be my own personal asparagus garden, lol!

 

[tortoise]

I have read that asparagus is difficult to start from seed. That has not been my experience! It's the easiest think I've grow. I start them in a small flowerbed near my house. I can sell them the next spring for about a dollar each (probably could get more, they sell fast). This past year I kept them and replanted our very-very old aspragus. bed that was weed-choked and starting to lose plants.

 

[Britesea]

The deeper you dig that trench and prepare the soil, the longer the bed will last. Properly prepared, asparagus beds can last for 20 years or more.
The reason raised beds are often recommended is that it helps with drainage; asparagus does not like wet feet. If you have a light sandy soil, don't bother with raised beds, but if you have a heavy clay soil you might want to do the raised beds.

 

[sumi]

My landlord told me when they still lived in this house he used to grow vegetables in the backyard and grew the most wonderful potatoes. I'm looking forward to seeing what this soil is going to do for me. It looks amazing!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I've had some planted for a couple years. It did "ok"....not great, not terrible. But this year I put some pigsters in the garden area and I'm afraid they might have rooted it all up.

I've gotta say though - that mine never made it inside. I would break off a shoot and munch it right in the garden!

 

[baymule]

I planted some crowns a couple years ago. I have to admit that I have not taken the greatest of care. But I am mending my ways, they are going to get a generous dollop of sheep manure compost. I also snap them off and eat them right then and there.