Asparagus Giganticus

Last post 15-06-2012 2:40 PM by sue1002. 7 replies.

• 10/06/2012 10:30 PM

  EvaInNL Location: Holland Joined on: 25 Sep 2009 Posts: 1,758

  Reply | Contact Hello there, I planted a number of asparagus crowns last year, didn't pick anything from them last year in order to allow the plants to establish strong roots. The asparagus spears did what nature intended and opened into feathery stems of about 2 to 3 foot tall. It all died down over winter and came back up this spring. I left the spears alone - as advised - and they kept growing. So far so good. But they haven't stopped growing and are now well over 6 feet! Can someone please advise what I should do? Cut them down or wait for winter? I haven't the foggiest and can't find anything in my books or online...  Thanks in advance for your kind help! Eva

• 11/06/2012 06:58 AM

  In reply to

  Eton Location: Leicester Joined on: 17 Mar 2012 Posts: 12

  Reply | Contact From my limited experience I would say that you are doing the right thing and your new crowns are developing well. Do not cut them down now but wait until they have become straw coloured in late autumn. Then cut the down to ground level. Next year I would start to cut a few of the thickest spears from each crown as they develop but cease all cutting by 21st June. Maybe a high nitrogen feed about now would be beneficial. Good luck

• 11/06/2012 08:22 AM	In reply to
  EvaInNL Location: Holland Joined on: 25 Sep 2009 Posts: 1,758	Reply | Contact  Thank you Eton, I did a bit more online snooping on this topic and your advice chimes in with the little bits of information I have been able to find on growing (green) asparagus. So I'll just put some supports in and leave them to it.  Thanks again!

• 11/06/2012 08:49 AM	In reply to
  miranda Location: Oxfordshire Joined on: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 4,072	Reply | Contact If you're into that sort of thing, Eva, asparagus foliage is good in flower arrangements. I know someone who grows it just for that.

• 11/06/2012 10:29 AM	In reply to
  EvaInNL Location: Holland Joined on: 25 Sep 2009 Posts: 1,758	Reply | Contact  Hiya Miranda, that's a good tip, thanks! I know there's a plant that here in NL we call Asparagus Greens that is grown specifically for flower arrangements and a hanging one as well that looks very similar. But this year it's strictly "Mits Off My Asparagus" ...

• 14/06/2012 09:26 PM	In reply to
  Tim Alderman Location: SE London NW Kent Joined on: 07 Dec 2009 Posts: 159	Reply | Contact Hi Eva. Asparagus beetle hasappeared again on my plot, so look for red,black,and white elongated little beetles and squash em. They are quite small but if ignored can cause harm.

• 15/06/2012 09:20 AM	In reply to
  EvaInNL Location: Holland Joined on: 25 Sep 2009 Posts: 1,758	Reply | Contact  Oh thanks for the warning Tim. I already have one asparagus shrub (there's no other word for them now) that has done a 360 degree curl caused by a slug chomping on it's side making it curl round and straight back up again. Quite impressive actually!

• 15/06/2012 02:40 PM	In reply to
  sue1002 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk Joined on: 06 Sep 2005 Posts: 9,468	Reply | Contact  Those asparagus plants are certainly tall ones Eva, they look taller than you sue1002