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Asparagus crown hardiness

KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
in Fruit & veg
Do Asparagus crowns need protection from frost?

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    No ... the only danger from frost is if there's a late one as the spears are emerging. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    Thanks @Dovefromabove We won't be cropping any spears until 2022, so good to know.

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I believe the general advice is to cut off the fronds when they've turned yellow and then pile manure or other organic matter on top, which would help to keep the crowns safe from frost.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    Thanks @Lizzie27 We have tonnes of manure at the allotment, so that won't be a problem!

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    We'll have to compare notes next year as I have new ones in as well. One thing that has always puzzled me that if you buy two year old bare roots, which I did, does the three rule before cutting spears start from this year (their third?) or three years from when they are planted in a new bed? Anybody know?  
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    It depends.. not a very helpful answer I know, but if I buy bulk crowns at 2 years then we can pick them in the first year for 1-2 weeks in the second year for 4 weeks and as normal in the third year. These are commercial crowns so they may be different from those sold for retail
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