Asparagus late this year?

[Ifailed]

we live in S London. Have an established asparagus bed and would normally expect the first few spears towards the end of March, but so far nothing this year. Anyone else experiencing the same?

[shovetheholly]

Not a sausage on mine which were pathetic last year. But I think it's early days yet - the season is normally considered to be late April to early June. You're probably able to take advantage of a microclimate in London, but it's been a cold March, which may have held it back.

I complained about the crowns I bought last year and the nursery has only just sent me the new lot to plant. So I won't be seeing those for a while!

[dodobookends]

Nothing here yet - Bedfordshire

[bookbook]

nothing here in Yorkshire , and it was just showing above the soil at this time last year

[Ifailed]

oh well, I suppose that means it hasn't all died! Thanks for the responses, I'll just sit and wait. And wait.

[didireallysaythat]

Odd question, but does asparagus resent being mowed ? We have some in the allotment from the previous tenant but not very old (3 years?). Not planted where I thought it would be - ie it's in what we treat as a path around a bed and the well meaning fellow allotment holders mow paths so I've only seen them briefly. If they ever reappear - can they be transplanted ?

[Ifailed]

I'm no expert, but you usually plant crowns either 1 or 2 years old. As they get established they develop a very big root system and can get quite tangled. If you want to move them, do it ASAP and use a fork to dig out as bigger bowl of roots and earth as you can.

[bookbook]

I think it looks as if you are going to have to transplant them, unless you can get rid of the grass, and the well- intentioned mowers didireally. I don't think they much like being transplanted, and they may sulk for a year or two, as they need to build up

[didireallysaythat]

Thank you. There's no sign of them yet, but if they turn up I'll move them (I did mark them with labels but they got mowed too...)

[Ifailed]

Did, move them now, before they start growing, they will have a better chance of establishing. Just dig down with a fork and look for the crowns, although if they've been mowed they may well have given up the ghost.

[bookbook]

Ifailed - just been down to my allotment, and just under the surface, my asparagus is ready to come through -it showed itself on 8th April last year ( I checked!) so its not far behind after all ! :)

[Ifailed]

Oh, good news, bookbook! There's nothing better than freshly cut asparagus, it barely needs cooking and is sooo delicious.

[didireallysaythat]

I don't know where to dig at the moment - I guess in a month there might be some sign, but I'm in East Anglia so a month behind most things I think...

[bookbook]

didi - I am in Yorkshire , but the one just beginning to show is the earliest variety. I actually have 3 different types, to make the harvest a bit longer. This early one is 'Gijnlim' .

[didireallysaythat]

I'm an asparagus novice ! When would a late species start to show ? I think it was really late last year.

[bookbook]

I also have Pacific 2000 and Stewarts Purple. I bought them as a collection for extended cropping. I'm pretty sure the last one started to come out in May last year - we were starting to think it wasn't going to show. Mine are now going on for 6 years old bought as 2 year crowns) and started to pick a bit carefully last year.

[didireallysaythat]

Hmmn. Interesting ! Off to surf ebay for asparagus !

[Ifailed]

I've just noticed the first purple head thrusting itself up through the ground! Sounds like 50 shades of soil, but nuts to that, it means I can hopefully eat my first seat of spears this weekend. Joy!

[bookbook]

Happy Eating!