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Asparagus crowns, how many days before it starts to shoot?

young codgeryoung codger Posts: 543
in Fruit & veg
I  planted 4 bare rooted Asparagus crowns. They have been in the ground 27 days now, so that is one month tomorrow. I keep checking for signs of life but not seen anything so far. How long before I should see something?

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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    How long is a piece of string?  The roots have got to establish before the top can grow. No need to be in a rush … you won’t be picking any for a couple of years or so 😊 

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





  • young codgeryoung codger Posts: 543
    I don't anticipate picking any until about the 3rd year, but that is not my question.

    I would think there will be others on here that have planted crowns before, and will be able to give me an idea of when shoots should appear. I'm only asking for 'ball park' idea. 2 months 3 months or whatever. :D


  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    When the soil warms up will have a lot to do with it, mine are showing no signs of life yet (3rd year) but they will, just be patient.
  • young codgeryoung codger Posts: 543
    Skandi said:
    When the soil warms up will have a lot to do with it, mine are showing no signs of life yet (3rd year) but they will, just be patient.
    Skandi, I don't know if I am understanding what you are telling me about yours. Are you  saying yours  have been in 3 years and never shown any sign of life-surely not??
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    My third year asparagus crowns only just started to sprout about 2 weeks ago when the weather (and therefore the soil) got warmer.  Different areas of the country will obviously vary.

    I wouldn't expect any shoots from yours yet, and maybe not until next year,  as Dove says they need time to get their roots established before they have the energy to sprout. You may possibly get some very thin shoots in late spring/early summer which must be left in situ. Keep them well watered.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • young codgeryoung codger Posts: 543
    @Lizzie27
     I am very patient, my only concern is that they are not dead. 
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    It's impossible to tell @young codger because apparently they don't like disturbance and I think if you were to try scatching away the soil to find out you may well damage any new shoots anyway. You could possible try very gently (with a teaspoon!) to lift the soil around the crowns to have a look see, but I'd be inclined to leave it for at least another month or two.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • young codgeryoung codger Posts: 543
    The most I would try is a gentle 'tickle' with a small paint brush. If that does not reveal anything I will do as you suggest at leave them alone.
  • valerierobertsvalerieroberts Posts: 726
    The first year I planted my asparagus crowns I didn’t see anything until the summer, I saw small spindly ferny stems. Now years later my established asparagus bed is at this time showing shoots three inches high and I am in a very warm spot. There are early and late varieties and mine are the late purple sprouting ones. Next year they will show approx the same time of year. I feed mine with Epsom salts in the early spring. This is what you can expect if they are alive. Valerie 
  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    young codger said:
    Skandi said:
    When the soil warms up will have a lot to do with it, mine are showing no signs of life yet (3rd year) but they will, just be patient.
    Skandi, I don't know if I am understanding what you are telling me about yours. Are you  saying yours  have been in 3 years and never shown any sign of life-surely not??

    I mean they are three years old and not up yet THIS year, they were up last year, but it's still to early where I am for asparagus.
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