Growing Asparagus at the Allotment: A Detailed Guide

Asparagus is a perennial plant from the lily family that offers a delicious harvest. While growing asparagus requires patience, as it can take up to two years to start producing spears, once established, it can provide a bountiful harvest for many years.

Sowing Asparagus

Planting Crowns

While asparagus can be grown from seed, it is more common and faster to grow it from crowns. Crowns should be planted in spring, typically from late March to April. Since it is not suitable for container growing, prepare an open space in your allotment.

1. Prepare the soil: Asparagus prefers well-drained, sandy soil. If your soil is heavy, consider improving it by adding sand or organic matter to increase drainage.
2. Dig a trench: The trench should be approximately 12 inches wide. Place the crowns about 8 inches deep in the trench, and space them 15 inches apart.
3. Cover the crowns: Earth up the soil over the crowns, ensuring that it is covered by a couple of inches.
4. Remove female plants: Asparagus comes in male and female varieties. Male varieties are more productive, while female plants expend energy producing berries. If female plants appear, remove them to maximize yield.

Growing Asparagus

Maintenance Tips

1. Weed carefully: Asparagus has shallow roots, so keep the area weed-free but take care when weeding to avoid damaging the roots.
2. Support the plants: As the asparagus grows tall, it may need staking or a protective wind-break to prevent damage.
3. Mulch: Applying mulch around the plants helps to retain moisture, particularly before winter.
4. Pruning in autumn: At the end of the first season in autumn, cut down the plants to about 3 inches from the ground.

Harvesting Asparagus

Timeline and Technique

1. First year: During the first year, avoid harvesting asparagus. The plants need time to establish themselves.
2. Second year: In late spring to early summer (around May to June), cut a few spears but avoid taking too many.
3. From the third year onward: From the third year, you can harvest more abundantly for about 8 weeks each season. Cut the spears when they reach around 4 inches in height, and cut them from a few inches below the soil.

Note: Freshly harvested asparagus is best for cooking, but it can also be blanched and frozen for future use.

Growing Asparagus: A Summary

Sowing Asparagus

• Plant crowns directly in April.
• Dig trenches, and plant crowns 8 inches deep.
• Prefer well-drained, sandy soil.

Growing Asparagus

• Mulch and water during dry spells.
• Remove female plants or seedlings for a better yield.
• Protect against winds and stake if necessary.

Harvesting Asparagus

• No harvest in the first year.
• Harvest sparingly in May-June of the second year.
• Cut spears a couple of inches below the soil when they reach 4 inches.

By following these steps, you’ll be rewarded with delicious asparagus for many years to come, adding a touch of luxury to your allotment and plate!