My asapargus isn't growing

[lonelyplanet]

I've made some raised beds to grow some veg. In February I planted some asparagus crowns (about 10) but they don't seem to be growing. There is one strong looking finger that is now about 30cm tall and two tiny very fragile stems that are doing nothing (about 1/2cm in height). Is this normal for the first year, or is it too early due to cold weather?

I will be so disappointed if I have to start again next year, as you have to wait 3 years before you can harvest much.

[MousyMouse]

everything is about a month later this year.
we had a field of asparagus when I was a child and remember that it looked very sparse the first year.
remember to scatter the berries (if there are any this year) in the rows in autumn and keep up the recommended ph of the soil (you might need lime powder/bone meal)

[WhereMyMilk]

Mine is doing zilch too so don't worry-think its the crap weather!

[lonelyplanet]

That's good news, thank you.

So if not much appears this year, I just need to sit it out?

[HindsightisaMarvellousThing]

We have an established bed, and so far only 2 crowns have done anything this year, and we have an inch of spear showing. Am hoping for an improvement next week

It has been cold, so everything is delayed. Panic not

[lonelyplanet]

Fantastic.

Mousy, you mention berries. I didn't know they had them, so I've just looked it up. Is it true that only female plants have berries, and it's male plants that you need to get much asparugus? If so do I need to remove female plants?

[MousyMouse]

not sure tbh (and it was 20 years ago + a white variety)
we never took out any plants and remember that we stopped harvesting end of june to get the plants to flower.