Companion planting with asparagus

[muddyboots]

I have a small asparagus patch (only 5 crowns) in a raised bed. It's only in its 1st year and has produced some thin spears and then ferns. All good.

I have read conflicting about growing asparagus and wonder if anyone had any experience? Some websites suggest that it doesn't like competition and that the bed should be kept weed free, whilst others suggest that strawberries and/or parsley can be planted alongside.

The raised bed looks fairly sparse and I'd like to maximise the productivity of the space but without hindering my asparagus. Any thoughts?

I have found that my best asparagus comes from ones where they've been bird seeded. My bed of asparagus is weed free and mulched and carefully kept clear but the asparagus that grows up through weeds, grasses, gets nibbled by the guinea pigs, and has on occasion been mowed gives far better spears. That said, I have no idea what variety it is and it just might be a nicer one that the ones I carefully researched and planted.