Question: About 5-6 weeks ago we prepared four asparagus beds with compost and superphosphate while following Crockett’s Victory Garden book’s instructions. We purchased crowns (Mary Washington & Jersey King) from a reputable garden shop here on Cape Cod. We have been keeping vigil over the beds for weeks and there is no sign of growth. Should we give up on them? Contact the garden center? Start over? We put a lot of time into preparing the beds and we’re stumped. We would appreciate any advice you might offer.
Disappointed on Cape Cod,
Leanne DeCosta
Answer:
Leanne,
I’ve been unable in an online search to find specific information about
the length of time before asaparagus shoots emerge. The first link
below says that asparagus won’t grow until the soil temp stays at 50
degrees or above.
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1603.html
http://agbiopubs.sdstate.edu/articles/ExEx6009.pdf
Anyone else have better info?
I have grown asparagus in a previous location. The big thing, as you
probably know, is patience. It usually takes a couple of seasons for
edible shoots to grow.
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Leanne
My Dad, Bert, used the same word as Mike Nikitas.. patience. Bert’s first try at asparagus was not too successful. He put crowns in for two years, then added seeds on top of the crowns. After a few years they become established and will do quite well provided they get plenty of sunshine and abundant mulch. He says, “put them in and don’t think about it for a few months” you may not see shoots for months, or even into next spring.
The description of how you buried them in nice compost sounds correct. He said they should be fairly deep in soft soil/compost mix.
My own advice would be to pull out one of the crowns and check the roots for any color. Maybe you want to bring one back to the Garden Shop and ask if this looks right?
Best Regards, Tim
I realize this is about gardening but gardens need water and water is what I wanted to talk about. Some New Englanders are having water troubles and I offer this advice. Why are the people buying water when an Ultra Violet Filter can be installed in a day at a cost of about $800.00? The water company should be supplementing these installations. At this, price one of a seven gallon. per minute could be installed and there would be pure water.
Only drawback is a power failure and then its just a simple matter of knowing what to do. Any plumber or water well dealer can handle these installations.
Lou Buscher
Sandwich Ma,