Grow your own asparagus - How to grow asparagus

How to grow Asparagus - Whilst Asparagus is considered a hard vegetable to grow due to the length of time it takes to come to fruition, it is best grown from one year crowns, ordered via mail order seed, for spring or autumn planting. If you sow from seed your crop will be take around 2 years to grow.

Asparagus likes well drained soil, dug in with manure the previous year. It is best suited to grow in raised beds, with their warmer soil.

To plant dig a trench 30cm wide by 15-20cm deep, then put in manure and then pile the soil up in a small hummock along the middle of the trench. Then plant the crowns 30cm apart with the tips just at ground level. Spread the roots out covering with soil. Space between rows should be 45cm making in sure to stagger the planting between the rows, then water well after planting.

Try not to harvest any Asparagus in year 1, and sparingly in year 2. To harvest them, cut them when 4 to 6 inches tall, never pull them out. Then the plants will go on to give a crop for up to 20 years.

Let the remaining spears grow to form a fern like foliage, which will continue to feed the plants. They will need supporting as they grow. Then cut down the foliage in October. Ensure the bed is then kept weed free. Apply a general fertilizer to the plants in spring.

If you find this article useful and would like more tips and free advice then visit our site on growing your own vegetables