Can anyone give me some advice on improving drainage in an asparagus bed? My asparagus crowns came in the post this morning (bit earlier than I had expected) and now I am in a bit of a flap trying to get the bed ready.It was manured last year, is free of weeds and is a good loam but when I went up to dig a trench today the soil was too wet. It got me thinking that even when the soil is drier I should maybe incorporate some sand or grit or something similar to open up the soil. Is this a good idea and if so is there any particular type of sand/grit which I should use? Also, if I can't plant the crowns for another two or three weeks how should I store them? The instructions just said to not let them dry out and keep frost free. Should I mist them?
Finally, (sorry for the ramble)has anyone been successful with asparagus? I have never seen anyone grow the crop up here (Aberdeen)so don't know how easy/difficult it is.
Thanks for reading this far!
Haggis
How do I improve drainage for asparagus?
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Stephen
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Hi Haggis
I will give something of a response as a way to get you back to the top.
I am looking forward to getting my firstb asparagus roots this year, so I am thinking about adding some sand too. The geology here in the Chilterns is chalk and clay, so some bits are Ok and then ther are bits which are heavy. My only comment is that it is easier to get the worms to pull organic material down into the soil than to improve the drainage later.
I am way down south compared to you, so I don't face the problems with cold in the same way.
I will give something of a response as a way to get you back to the top.
I am looking forward to getting my firstb asparagus roots this year, so I am thinking about adding some sand too. The geology here in the Chilterns is chalk and clay, so some bits are Ok and then ther are bits which are heavy. My only comment is that it is easier to get the worms to pull organic material down into the soil than to improve the drainage later.
I am way down south compared to you, so I don't face the problems with cold in the same way.
Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.
Stephen, Thanks for your reply. I had a chat with the owner of our local garden centre and he recommended digging in some washed grit rather than sand. I hope to get round to doing that tomorrow before the snow arrives again! I don't know if the asparagus will grow here but nothing ventured nothing gained.
Hi Haggis,
The use of Sharp Sand would give you good drainage and although Horticultural grit would also give you the same effect there is one hell of a difference in the price. The Garden Centre probably sells the grit but not the sand so he was advising you with a sale in view. In my humble opinion you would do well to compare the prices before buying the grit.
JB.
The use of Sharp Sand would give you good drainage and although Horticultural grit would also give you the same effect there is one hell of a difference in the price. The Garden Centre probably sells the grit but not the sand so he was advising you with a sale in view. In my humble opinion you would do well to compare the prices before buying the grit.
JB.
I think you are probably right JB, I would go for the sand option if possible.
I planted my asparagus crowns today and I am rather over-excited by it all. The soil was in good nick for the job, and the crowns were very good quality. In the end I ordered them online from a specialist supplier in Kent, as I was not at all impressed by the wizened offerings in the garden centres.
I planted my asparagus crowns today and I am rather over-excited by it all. The soil was in good nick for the job, and the crowns were very good quality. In the end I ordered them online from a specialist supplier in Kent, as I was not at all impressed by the wizened offerings in the garden centres.
I am sure you are both right - but I have already bought the grit! Oh well. I don't mind paying the bit extra because we have a really good family run independent garden centre. The stuff costs a bit more there but it comes with lots of advice and a smile.
Couldn't plant asparagus today because it is snowing. I bought the crowns mail order too and they look quite good - not shrivelled. Can't wait to see if they will grow!
Thanks for the replies
Haggis
Couldn't plant asparagus today because it is snowing. I bought the crowns mail order too and they look quite good - not shrivelled. Can't wait to see if they will grow!
Thanks for the replies
Haggis
Hi Haggis I am just up the road from you at New Deer I have asparagus inside my pollytunnell and some outside. I have been eating my inside crop for 2 weeks now it's Conovers colosul. I got very little from my outsida crop last year but there was ample from 8 plants from inside.
As for the protection I would put them in some potting compost completely covered till you get a chance to plant.
The fact you said your soil was good loam when dry suggests to me that there would be no need to worry about adding sand as once you have planted you should never need to walk on that soil again and compaction should not be a problem.
Arthur E
As for the protection I would put them in some potting compost completely covered till you get a chance to plant.
The fact you said your soil was good loam when dry suggests to me that there would be no need to worry about adding sand as once you have planted you should never need to walk on that soil again and compaction should not be a problem.
Arthur E