New Asparagus Bed

roerinaci · November 12, 2014

Hi everyone ..I'm going to be expanding my garden this year and wanted to add asparagus..I'm going to be planting the crowns in the spring but not sure how many crowns I should plant

I know I have to wait a year or two before harvest and I want to be able to eat fresh and also can them for my pantry..There is only my husband and I ..was going to plant 25 plants is that enough or should it be more ??

kayrobbins · November 12, 2014

That should be enough. In a few years you will be able to divide the crowns so you will have more then.

peppero · November 12, 2014

I think I started with 15 and now I about 25-30. If I ever start a new bed I will start with 30.

jon

Labradors2 · November 12, 2014

I think that 25 should be enough if they all survive. I planted 24 but it turned out that the new bed was subject to flooding, so I lost a few crowns.......

Linda

roerinaci · November 12, 2014

Thank You for the responses ..Next question who should I get the crowns from ?? I'm looking at an all male variety either Jersey giant or Jersey Supreme..

Tormato · November 12, 2014

Now is the time to do a soil test, if needed. A pH of 6.5 to 7.5 is the range I've read about as being the best. Fall is the time to adjust that pH, not at the time of planting.

greenthumbomaha · November 12, 2014

Asparagus can also be tricked into providing an extended harvest. Consider planting more than one variety for few extra weeks of picking. You have two good choices in the Jersey series. When I lived in NJ, spears used to randomly pop up all over the lawn. The subdivision was developed on a former farm. Spring was an adventure! I prefer the pencil types but the fat purple variety is very good too.

As Tormato suggested, fall prep works wonders for a new bed. If you could lay down some cardboard to smother the grass and amendments added on top if needed as above, you'll be good to go come spring.

- Lisa

roerinaci · November 13, 2014

Yes I was planning to set up the bed this fall if our weather would cooperate getting a lot of rain and next week snow

I just need one good day and i'll be set

November 12, 2014	#1
roerinaci Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: New Hampshire Zone 4b Posts: 11	New Asparagus Bed Hi everyone ..I'm going to be expanding my garden this year and wanted to add asparagus..I'm going to be planting the crowns in the spring but not sure how many crowns I should plant I know I have to wait a year or two before harvest and I want to be able to eat fresh and also can them for my pantry..There is only my husband and I ..was going to plant 25 plants is that enough or should it be more ??

November 12, 2014	#7
greenthumbomaha Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Omaha Zone 5 Posts: 2,514	Asparagus can also be tricked into providing an extended harvest. Consider planting more than one variety for few extra weeks of picking. You have two good choices in the Jersey series. When I lived in NJ, spears used to randomly pop up all over the lawn. The subdivision was developed on a former farm. Spring was an adventure! I prefer the pencil types but the fat purple variety is very good too. As Tormato suggested, fall prep works wonders for a new bed. If you could lay down some cardboard to smother the grass and amendments added on top if needed as above, you'll be good to go come spring. - Lisa Last edited by greenthumbomaha; November 12, 2014 at 08:37 PM.

November 12, 2014	#2
kayrobbins Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 820	That should be enough. In a few years you will be able to divide the crowns so you will have more then.

November 12, 2014	#3
peppero Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: selmer, tn Posts: 2,944	I think I started with 15 and now I about 25-30. If I ever start a new bed I will start with 30. jon

November 12, 2014	#4
Labradors2 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 3,896	I think that 25 should be enough if they all survive. I planted 24 but it turned out that the new bed was subject to flooding, so I lost a few crowns....... Linda

November 12, 2014	#6
Tormato Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MA Posts: 4,971	Now is the time to do a soil test, if needed. A pH of 6.5 to 7.5 is the range I've read about as being the best. Fall is the time to adjust that pH, not at the time of planting.

November 13, 2014	#8
roerinaci Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: New Hampshire Zone 4b Posts: 11	Yes I was planning to set up the bed this fall if our weather would cooperate getting a lot of rain and next week snow I just need one good day and i'll be set