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?

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!

Nothing here yet - Bedfordshire

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

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

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 ?

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.

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

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...)

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.

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 ! :)

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

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...

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' .

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

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.

Hmmn. Interesting ! Off to surf ebay for asparagus !

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!

Happy Eating!