The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Growing => Vegetables => Topic started by: chairmanphil on March 22, 2012, 06:15:08 pm

Title: asparagus spears
Post by: chairmanphil on March 22, 2012, 06:15:08 pm
was cleaning out the asparagus bed today and found loads of buds about 3" under the ground, just can't wait for the first raw spear! 3rd year this year so can harvest everything i am led to believe! on a warm spring like this when do you think the first ones will show?
Title: Re: asparagus spears
Post by: deepinthewoods on March 22, 2012, 06:21:07 pm
dont know, very jealous.
Title: Re: asparagus spears
Post by: darkbrowneggs on March 22, 2012, 06:24:33 pm
I planted some crowns in the polytunnel border last year, and its going to be on the menu tonight  ;D
Title: Re: asparagus spears
Post by: FiB on March 22, 2012, 06:34:01 pm
Very jealous - I planted 6 rows of crowns last year - spears viciously bitten off as they emerged (not eaten) and roots decimated by weasel runs (I think) - not expecting anything this year but always hopeful, me!!!    Enjoy!
Title: Re: asparagus spears
Post by: chairmanphil on March 22, 2012, 07:05:20 pm
we had about 30 spears last year before the end of may cut off point. think we can take more this year as should have a good show!
Title: Re: asparagus spears
Post by: chairmanphil on March 29, 2012, 02:41:03 pm
i was just having a hopeful look at the beds and look what i found!

(http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a415/fandange/philsphone002-16.jpg)
Title: Re: asparagus spears
Post by: Dan on March 30, 2012, 06:48:25 am
Excellent.  :thumbsup:

We only planted our new asparagus bed in the autumn, so don't get any this year.  :(
Title: Re: asparagus spears
Post by: chairmanphil on March 30, 2012, 08:03:29 am
Excellent.  :thumbsup:

We only planted our new asparagus bed in the autumn, so don't get any this year.  :(

yeah, bummer that is! i think it would be ok to have one or 2 first year, we did and did them no harm.
Title: Re: asparagus spears
Post by: Mel on March 30, 2012, 07:16:27 pm
I'm dribbling at the photo  ;D
Title: Re: asparagus spears
Post by: chairmanphil on March 30, 2012, 07:27:10 pm
I'm dribbling at the photo  ;D

found another 4 shoots today! not long now!
Title: Re: asparagus spears
Post by: Lesley Silvester on March 30, 2012, 11:27:00 pm
I want some.
Title: Re: asparagus spears
Post by: chairmanphil on March 31, 2012, 09:23:14 am
(http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a415/fandange/philsfone007.jpg)

(http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a415/fandange/philsfone006.jpg)

how some are looking this morning!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: asparagus spears
Post by: Mel on March 31, 2012, 07:58:38 pm
Me too,next job to do,anyone know the best place to buy the crowns from? :thumbsup:
Title: Re: asparagus spears
Post by: chairmanphil on March 31, 2012, 08:19:48 pm
Me too,next job to do,anyone know the best place to buy the crowns from? :thumbsup:

got mine from Marshalls as my dad is a member and gets good discount. they came well packed and all took!
Title: Re: asparagus spears
Post by: Mel on March 31, 2012, 08:25:16 pm
Me too,next job to do,anyone know the best place to buy the crowns from? :thumbsup:

got mine from Marshalls as my dad is a member and gets good discount. they came well packed and all took!
Thanks so much  ;D
Title: Re: asparagus spears
Post by: chairmanphil on March 31, 2012, 08:36:52 pm
www.marshall-seeds.co.uk (http://www.marshall-seeds.co.uk)
Title: Re: asparagus spears
Post by: kingnigel on April 05, 2012, 11:23:59 pm
this thread got me to check mine and they are up. should be able to take a small amount this year.
Title: Re: asparagus spears
Post by: Plantoid on April 08, 2012, 11:23:06 pm
Boo Hoo ,my three year old crowns have not yet poked their heads above the three inches of mulch and sieved earth i put them to bed with in Novenber , but it should be very soon .

Unless my lass weeds the bed with scissors and decides it is the insidious mares / horse tail for they do look like it during the first few days of emergence. tail
Title: Re: asparagus spears
Post by: chairmanphil on April 12, 2012, 03:31:45 pm
just had the OH clean and deweed the bed and we found that all 20 corms are doing well. fed them and will mulch and wood chip them this weekend! so chuffed, we eat the first spear raw yesterday. great snap, sweet juicy and the flavour was divine!
Title: Re: asparagus spears
Post by: Sudanpan on April 12, 2012, 08:37:14 pm
We planted 20 crowns this year (2 weeks ago to be precise) - followed the instructions sent with them (from Thompson and Morgan) so only going to look on in wonder this year...
We have had a couple of spears poking through so we covered them up carefully
 :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: asparagus spears
Post by: chairmanphil on April 12, 2012, 08:51:05 pm
We planted 20 crowns this year (2 weeks ago to be precise) - followed the instructions sent with them (from Thompson and Morgan) so only going to look on in wonder this year...
We have had a couple of spears poking through so we covered them up carefully
 :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

just be Patient, it will be rewarded!
 
Title: Re: asparagus spears
Post by: chairmanphil on April 13, 2012, 07:41:26 pm
had 3 raw spears this morning, 2 cuz they were ready and one little one that i stood on  :D
Title: Re: asparagus spears
Post by: Mel on April 13, 2012, 07:44:08 pm
Aww,poor little spear  ;D :yum: Mine arrived from Marshalls today,I bought 20 crowns of Purple passion ;D
Title: Re: asparagus spears
Post by: chairmanphil on April 13, 2012, 07:52:40 pm
Aww,poor little spear  ;D :yum: Mine arrived from Marshalls today,I bought 20 crowns of Purple passion ;D

we are going to see what is about next week and lay another row.
Title: Re: asparagus spears
Post by: chairmanphil on April 14, 2012, 08:21:04 am
this mornings offering

(http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a415/fandange/2012-04-12-291.jpg)

yum  :yum:
Title: Re: asparagus spears
Post by: chairmanphil on May 14, 2012, 01:25:35 pm
got the first of the new ones poking up this morning, only went in 2 days ago. mate said to put the corms in a bucket and soak them in rain water for an hour or so and drain them and leave them in the bucket and plant the next day. seems to have worked a treat.
Title: Re: asparagus spears
Post by: deepinthewoods on May 14, 2012, 01:28:22 pm
seaweesd is supposed to be the best mulch, as asparagus is originally a coastal plant.
Title: Re: asparagus spears
Post by: chairmanphil on May 14, 2012, 01:32:56 pm
seaweesd is supposed to be the best mulch, as asparagus is originally a coastal plant.

might have to drive the Lux to the seaside and bring some back! they are loving the 3 year old compost i am putting round them. i make loads of dashi for miso soup. i think i now have a use for the left over seaweed! nice one mate!
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: asparagus spears
Post by: chairmanphil on May 14, 2012, 01:38:15 pm
my little beauty!

(http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a415/fandange/philsphone001-20.jpg)