Asparagus
A true garden luxury, asparagus is a long-term investment, taking 2-3 years to establish, but then providing delicious spears for 20+ years. Requires patience but is surprisingly low maintenance once established.
Asparagus (5 crowns)
£12.99 in the shop
Calendar
Sow
February – April (from seed, indoors); March – May (planting crowns outdoors)
Plant out
Plant one-year-old crowns in well-prepared trenches, ensuring roots are spread out
Harvest
April – June (from third year onwards)
Conditions
Sun
Full sun, 6–8 hours a day
Water
Keep consistently moist, especially during establishment and dry spells
Soil
Deep, free-draining, rich in organic matter, pH 6.5–7.5
Spacing
30–45cm (12–18 inches) between crowns, 90–120cm (3-4 ft) between rows
Containers
Not recommended due to its deep root system and long-term nature
Indoors
Seeds can be started indoors, but crowns are the most common and quicker way to establish a bed
Care and harvest
Feeding
Annual top-dressing with well-rotted manure or compost in autumn/winter; a balanced feed in spring
Pruning
Cut back yellowed 'fern' growth to ground level in late autumn/early winter
Harvesting
Snap off spears when they are 15-20cm (6-8 inches) tall; stop harvesting in June to allow ferns to develop
Storage
Best eaten fresh. Can be stored in the fridge, standing upright in a glass of water, for a few days.
Good companions: Tomatoes, Parsley, Basil