Transplanting Asparagus

[Peggy Sue]

I've decided to create an asparagus bed down the allotment. I ahve about 16 I ahve grown from seed which have gone in (I know I need to wait years, it's the long haul...) but I ahve two crowns about 4 or 5 years old in barrels in the agrden from before I ahd an allotment. They are producing, but only 3 spears at a time (divided by 2 causes arguments!). I want to transplant these into the allotment patch, which has nice light soil for them, but when is the best time does anyone know?

[Peggy Sue]

I'd planned spring this year, the crowns I had bought had said April to put in but by April they were shooting so that spoilt that plan! Our autumns are pretty mild in east of england so there's no danger of the ground being hard til...well February if that!! (Some years there's not even a frost til Jan)
So if I waited till all the shoots from this year have completley gone then give it a few weeks and move them

[Peggy Sue]

Thx :)