Asparagus - yes!!!

[grahamhobbs]

Saturday we enjoyed our first meal of the year of our asparagus - delicious

[Green Aura]

Blimey, that's early - isn't it?

[pelmetman]

Gosh Graham there is no sign at all of our asparagus. Are you growing it in a polytunnel?

Sue

[Millymollymandy]

Ooooh yummy I'm growing asparagus now and all my seedlings germinated ages ago so I have pricked them all out.

How many plants is about right for 2 people? Cos I have over 20 at the moment. The seedlings don't taste of asparagus though which is a shame.

[grahamhobbs]

Pelmetman, no the asparugus is not in a polytunnel but we are in London (there are some advantages I guess), but this year is a week earlier than previous years, not sure whether that's because the plants are more mature or the weather.

We have 2 varieties, not that I can tell the difference, both were bought in the Touraine, France, I remember one was called Primo.

MMM, we only have 8 plants and at times we can't keep up with all the spears produced - not that it stops the OH wanting me to plant more. But I would plant some later varieties so production is staggered. At the moment our asparagus takes us through to the beginning of May, when our artichokes (the red spikey ones, Coggia?) take over.

[Millymollymandy]

8 hmmmmm maybe I will plant 10 as I would like to make some asparagus soup and would be happy to give some away, better to have too much and it is the lean season where veg is concerned. Thanks.

[becks77]

I planted asparagus seeds 2 years ago, and this year I have a few very thin but definitely asparagus shaped spears can I use these or leave them another year?

[Millymollymandy]

According to what I've read the answer is no. I think you have to wait 3 years.

[oldjerry]

No becks,MMM's right one more year to wait,let the crowns grow a decent size.Then congratulate yourself on growing sparrowgrass without cheating (buying crowns!),never managed that level of virtue meself.

Sorry to go off on a tangent,Graham ,how often d'you renew your artichokes?

[Millymollymandy]

never managed that level of virtue meself.

It's not virtue on my part it's giving me time to think about where to put the asparagus bed. I'm ummed and ahhed about it for 6 years but was given some berries last autumn so I have finally had my butt kicked into action!

[becks77]

Ahh phoey, was looking forward to them even if they are titchy, still always next year!!
I have them in a long trough though not in the ground so I can move my asparagus bed when I feel like it! ot sure its the best idea but seemst o be ok so far!

[jim]

Playing in the garden yesterday, weeding, tidying, putting in french beans etc. when I noticed the asparagus bed. Couldn't believe it! Big fat spears, seven of the bu**ers. That's a month earlier than usual.

Is it because March was so warm and dry?

Love and Peace
Jim

[Millymollymandy]

I guess so, as everything is ahead and things are germinating here at a rate of knots!

[grahamhobbs]

Old Jerry, mine are all different ages because some were lost over various winters and I have seperated shoots off and replanted them whenever I can. So they haven't been replaced on a specific rotation, but I kind of think you need to plan replacements at around every 6 to 8 years.

[oldjerry]

That's about what I thought Graham,it's just that I've seen some in Basilicata that were the size of a good clump of Pampas grass,and given the laid back attitude to their gardening,just presumed they were 10 of 15 years old,whereby here,mine have always lost vigour far earlier.Could be a new variety,or the climate,either way hopefully I can let you know this summer. (anyhow,I love them,maybe even more than sparrowgrass.)