planting Asparagus now?

So I've lucked into 4 bags of asparagus starts. Yes, it's the wrong time of year. But I happen to have a bed all ready to go and EMPTY. It would be perfect for asparagus...

So, what's it gonna hurt if I try to grow these guys now?

ETNRedClay wrote:{snip...}

So, what's it gonna hurt if I try to grow these guys now?

Do you usually plant asparagus in the Spring in your area?

The worse thing that will happen is that they either don't come up this year or they don't have enough time to store up energy to make it through the winter & they don't come up next year.

Either way, I'd say take the risk, what have you got to lose?

So I did.

THIS is the perfect application for Wal-mart's Composted Manure and Humas .05-.05-.05 because it's so sandy. I mixed it into my mushroom compost-chicken litter-cow manure-horse stall leavings to get a 5-blend. Plus peat moss. I am out of V. and out of grid materials with no budget for more for a while. so am making do until I can add it in later.

Purple Passion, Martha Washington, & Jersey Knight.



And



And Sun Coleus to mark the "rows" of 8ea. I'll mulch after they break the surface.

Fingers crossed.

Hello everyone,

I came across an asparagus sale at Lowes.  Martha Washington 2-year old crowns, 6 for $1.00.  I just couldn't pass them up, so I bought two packages (they had many, many packages).  So... I have 12 crowns to mess around with.  I am preparing an empty EarthBox, so I was thinking of putting some in that.  EarthBox customer service says to plant 8 per box (which is in keeping with Mel's advice of 4 per square since an EarthBox is 2'x1').  Do you all think I could get away with planting them today?

It looks like ETNredclay planted some this time last year.  I'm wondering how that worked out? If you are out there ETN, give me a shout.

Also, does anyone have any experience with planting asparagus in an EarthBox?

Thank for any comments all. 

I think I will stop at lowe's on the way home from work tonight.  Hope you get an answer that says it is okay to plant now.  Don't know about planting in an earthbox.

How deep are earth boxes.  I'm reading that asparagus needs at least 20-30"

Here's one link  http://www.ehow.com/how_7188624_plant-asparagus-container.html

HMMMMM  maybe next year in rubbermaid bins.  Does it do well in the hot south?

Kay

yolos wrote:I think I will stop at lowe's on the way home from work tonight.  Hope you get an answer that says it is okay to plant now.  Don't know about planting in an earthbox.

If you are going for only the asparagus, you might want to call ahead to make sure of the price.

If you get problems with them saying it is not on sale, you could refer to this link:

http://www.lowes.com/Outdoors/_/N-1z0wgie/pl?Ntt=asparagus#!

Hope it works out! 

I planted some this year a couple weeks ago. How long does it normally take to break the surface?  I planted on top of 3 inches of MM and covered by another 3 - 4 inches.

walshevak wrote:How deep are earth boxes.  I'm reading that asparagus needs at least 20-30"

Here's one link  http://www.ehow.com/how_7188624_plant-asparagus-container.html

HMMMMM  maybe next year in rubbermaid bins.  Does it do well in the hot south?

Kay

Hi Kay.  Yes, I've read about that planting depth as well.  I went outside just now to measure the depth of my empty EarthBox.  It's 8 inches deep.  EarthBox customer service says it's ok to plant... but I'm a bit dubious of that now.  I've read the e.how link.  I actually have two enormous pots that are also empty at the moment.  They are both at least 30' deep and about 24" around.  I'm torn.  (ha ha)

However, I guess my biggest question is timing.  It seems ETN tried last year... I'm wondering if anyone else has done the same?

Windmere, you're in GA and my guess is you've got at least 5 months before your first frost, right?  Even if you only had 3 months but you get them in the ground ASAP and it takes them another month to break the surface, that should still give them plenty of time to grow this year.  Good luck & thanks for the head's up on that sale!

Denese, they can take a looong time to sprout.

Thank you molllyhespra.  That sale was amazing!  I guess you never know when deals like that will happen... so it's nice to catch them when they do.

We planted 25 crowns a few weeks ago. They were up within a week I think it was? They're about 1-2 feet tall!! They're doing great. Some have the little seed pod things on them...do you know if those are the females?? Some articles say both will make flowers, but only the females will make the red seeds? First timer here, but so far they're really doing well.............

This thread has great info on the question of seeds.

My first baby asparagus broke through today!!

Congrats, your baby is just beautiful.  

When were they planted, Denese?  What sort of ground temps did you have when you planted?

I've grown asparagus in 8" of landscapers mix soil with a heavy clay natural base.  I had asparagus the second and third years but only leaves and no shoots the first year.  I was living near Houston then and planted in March, I think.

That is awesome Denese!  How exciting!

rabbithutch wrote:When were they planted, Denese?  What sort of ground temps did you have when you planted?

I've grown asparagus in 8" of landscapers mix soil with a heavy clay natural base.  I had asparagus the second and third years but only leaves and no shoots the first year.  I was living near Houston then and planted in March, I think.

I planted them on May 18.  Don't know the ground temp, but we've had days in the 60s to 70s and occasional 80s.  Nights have been in the 40s, 50s, and 60s.  Was starting to wonder if they were going to come up at all.  The 2 yr. old crowns seemed awfully dry before planting.  I soaked them for a couple hours and they were more flexible, but I was still wondering if they wouldn't make it.

I planted them in a newly built 12" deep box with 3 inches of MM on the bottom and 3 inches on top of them.  My plan is to add MM as the shoots come through till I reach the top.  That's assuming more than one comes up!   

I didn't see it this morning, and then my daughter came to visit this afternoon.  She went outside to look at my garden. (She just built her first SFG boxes this year and is really excited about gardening this year.)  I could never get her out in the garden growing up.    Anyway... she came back in the house really quickly and said, "MOM, you have a baby asparagus!"  I don't know who was more excited, her or me!   

Thank you Llama Momma and Windmere!

I just found  a missed bag of 10 asparagus starts. I'm not even sure if they are any good anymore. I have dumped them in a bowl of water to soak and I'm going to plant them either this afternoon or tomorrow. I know it's totally the wrong time of year but has anyone ever planted asparagus at the end of summer and had them enentually grow?  

CC

Well, the deed is done.  I'm thinking that if we get at least a month of nice weather, and they are viable, they may get strong enough to sprout in the spring...like planting bulbs...?
 
CC

CC, Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Right?