growing Asparagus in Zone 3

Hi everyone,

I just joined the forum and am really glad I found it!! I left and introductory post and I wasn't sure if I could ask my question there, or not. So, here goes:

I LOVE Asparagus, an insane amount...I want to try to grow it here in Zone 3 Alberta. I am not worried about the summer. I do worry about it being able to survive a harsh winter in a 4x4 by 1' box? I know the boxes are supposed to be 6", but I think my chances would go up if they were one foot deep instead.

Has anyone done this? I REALLY hope someone says "Have at 'er". You'll do fine. I have a great Asparagus bed"!!

Thanks, in advance!!

Nicole

I don't grow asparagus, but I believe it grows very deep. It comes back year after year so most gardeners put it in the ground in a dedicated spot. Hope someone will come along with more info.

BTW WELCOME

Kay

I'm going to post here what someone so kindly posted for me for my asparagus question.

http://www.soilandhealth.org/01aglibrary/010137veg.roots/010137ch6.html



Good luck!

I'm in zone 4 in the far NE corner of South Dakota and asparagus grows wild in the ditches all around here! I have friends who live in zone 3 relatively nearby who have very successful asparagus beds. It does like to be deep, so make a dedicated box for it or put if right in the ground. I put in a 1'x12' asparagus bed last year and had my first few spears from it a few weeks ago. Plant it and be patient! The hardest part is not overharvesting it the first few years so it can establish itself.

GG

I know asparagus grows wild in Germany, so I don't really see why it wouldn't grow in a zone 3 area. Following the world map, you're really close to the same longitude, but I'm unsure as to the specifics. According to http://www.albertafarmfresh.com/vegetable.htm , they sell asparagus and it's also grown by Alberta farmers. If it was me, I'd totally take the risk.

Welcome!
My only concern would be the mix thawing and freezing in the winter. It might be happiest planted in the ground and then use the box as the deep mulch over the roots. That is if that ground drains well. An established bed should be able to stick its roots as deep as it wants.

Hi to all the helpful posters that responded to my question. I am REALLY grateful for all the input and information!! As a result, I have decided that I will grow Asparagus, but modify the square foot design: I will make a 4x4 bed and build it 1 foot deep...BUT instead of lining the bottom with landscape fabric and just putting it on solid ground, I will break up the soil under the box and not put landscape fabric under it. That way, the roots can go deep, but I can still grow a good crop in a small space!! Perfect solution...I think. Kind of a best of both worlds idea.

I ordered some "Jersey Supreme" roots which I will pick up from a local farmer here on May 19th. I have time to make a nice, and hopefully perfect home for my precious and coveted treat!!

I am so happy, I can barely contain my glee. Funny how gardening can make you giddy!! Thank you everybody, so much, for helping me out on this one!

Cheers,

Nicole