Where to grow? - Asparagus plants will crop for about 20 years so it really is worth preparing the ground in advance of delivery. A well-drained and reasonably fertile soil in an open sunny position is required. Dig the patch to a spade’s depth and work in plenty of garden compost or well-rotted manure.
Your asparagus plants have been grown in 3 litre pots and once planted will be quick to establish. Next spring you’ll be picking your first harvest which will be repeated for many years to come.
How to look after? - Aftercare is easy. Keep the beds free by hand weeding so that you don’t disturb or damage the shallow root system of your asparagus plants and in spring apply a top dressing of general fertiliser.
In the autumn simply cut down the yellow ferns to within 3cm of the ground. Then add a mulch of garden compost or well-rotted manure to a depth of 5-8cm.
When to harvest? – The first spears will break the surface at the end of April. Wait until they are about 15cm high and then using a sharp knife or specialist asparagus knife cut the spears a couple of centimetres below the surface. Tradition says that you should stop cutting by the longest day.
How to eat? - Low in calories but high in vitamins and fibre your asparagus plants will provide many healthy meals over the coming years. Try grilling them and then giving a dressing of good quality olive oil and lemon followed by some grated parmesan. Simple yet delightful!
"Playwrights are like men who have been dining for a month in an Indian restaurant. After eating curry night after night, they deny the existence of asparagus." - Peter Ustinov.