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Varieties:  Gijnlim & Backlim

Asparagus - Growing Your Own

General – Good drainage is essential for successful asparagus growing. Heavy,cold wet soils will not help establishment and may kill the crown.Planting is best carried out in March-April after the worst of the weather has past.

Soil Conditions – If your soil is very wet try building  raised beds and filling these with better soil.  Only plant when the soil is friable. Make a fist of the soil, let it go and it should crumble.

Fertilisers – Apply plenty of well rotted organic matter and dig in. Spread a balanced fertiliser, such as pelleted chicken manure at the manufacturers recommended rate.  Be sure that the pH (acid balance) of your soil is not below 6.2.  

Preparation – Dig out furrows to 15cm(6”) deep and 30cm(12”) wide. In the bottom of the furrow create a small ridge on which to place the crown. The width between the furrows should be at a minimum of 90cm(36”)/1m (39”)

Planting – Plant crowns by placing crown, with buds upwards on the  ridge in the base of the furrow, arranging roots to either side. Plant at 38cm(15”) centres. Replace 10cm(4”) of soil over crowns, leaving a small trench marking the row; being careful not to tread on the row. Later once the spears have emerged and the soil has settled, place more soil over the

crowns, leaving just a small groove in which to water if necessary. Do not allow to dry out.

Harvesting - Do not cut any spears in the first year of planting - the plant really needs these to establish its strength for future years!! Cut lightly in the second year. Thereafter  - enjoy !!

Harvest spears at 5/7” tall whilst tops are still closed.  Cut just below the soil surface. Copping can continue for approximately 8 weeks, after which the ferns (tops) should be allowed to grow to develop food reserves. When the foliage turns yellow in autumn it should be cut down to ground level and the soil mounded up over the crowns.

Pests – Rabbits will like the tender shoots if there is not much else around. Pets will like to sit in the trench and will damage the spears.  Deer may cause physical damage. .Beware—slugs love young crowns and will happily hollow out your young roots, shoots and spears! – take precautions early.