Asparagus

[Merry]

Is it possible to move mature asparagus?
If so, when?
My asparagus bed is about eight years old and, though most of the plants crop well, there are gaps where plants have disappeared, (died?). Also, I`m afraid, some deep perennial weeds. (I know I shouldn`t allow them. I do try! )
I thought that, if I prepared a lovely new (weed free again) bed, I could move the good plants together and put some new ones at the end of the bed.
Would that be possible?

[Plotter]

I think conventional wisdom says no, however when I had to move allotments a few years ago I didn't want to give up my mature asparagus bed without a fight, so I dug up about half of it, it spent the winter in a large container of compost/soil and I planted it in the new bed in the spring. 3 years later and this is the first year I have cut any. It is growing strongly now, maybe as well as it was on the old site.

So what I think I am saying is it can be done, but it will set your plants back for a few years. If you want a fresh start, it may pay to get fresh plants and start your new bed, while still cropping your old patch. Or leave your patch where it is and let the remaining plants grow and spread to fill in the blank spaces. If you do want to move plants, early spring before they start shooting is best I believe.

[JulieSherris]

Yep, I'd agree.... if you move them, do it early spring, but be prepared to start over with the harvesting in the 3rd season again.
Asparagus crops will last for a good 20 years if they are left, so yes, you might be better to start a new bed, whilst continuing the harvest of the existing bed for the first 3 seasons, maybe.

[Merry]

Oh thanks! Useful gen!
On reflection, I think I`ll start a new bed next spring and go on with the old one for the time being.
AND I`ll be more careful to get the dandelions out before they turn into deep-fanged monsters!

[grahamhobbs]

Merry, I don't think you should worry that it is your fault that the dandelions got established in amounst the asparagus, somehow they and bindweed just know that if they come up right amounst the crown of the asparagus there is s.. all you can do about it.

[Merry]

Clever little devils, aren`t they?