Asparagus, of course, even if we can’t afford to buy it, needs no introduction. However, it is probably not commonly appreciated that its culture does not present the difficulties so often imagined and, if you can grow good Potatoes, you can grow good Asparagus. Rather than the traditional permanent Asparagus bed system of culture, the best method – and certainly the best for gluttons – is to adopt a four-season cycle sowing seed annually: first year sow the seed, thinning or planting out to 2 ft. or so apart; second season hands off (but keep the weeds at bay); third season you may ration yourself to a few shoots; the fourth season you let yourself go and cut shoots without a second thought for the poor plant which is now doomed! At the end of this fourth season, the crowns are dug up and used for forcing. One last point; forbid the family flower arranger access to the Asparagus and give her (or him) some plants of her own for cutting the beautiful, feathery foliage. Hardy throughout the British Isles.
Classification:
RHS Award
Price:
£1.97 per packet
Guide prices for information only: Euros: € 2.20 US Dollars: $ 3.02