How long will packaged asparagus, rhubarb, etc last?

[ajpaterson]

Hi there,

Not being fortunate enough to have a Wilkinsons in Cambridge, I was in Gateshead at the weekend and bought some of their packeted asparagus, rhubarb and artichoke*. They are small clear polythene bags with something lurking inside them amidst dry-looking compost. (Also noticed B&Q doing similar and might invest in some of their ginger root.)

Has anyone any experience of these? How long might I have to put them in the ground? Any other advice? I realise that sooner may be better (unless it's too cold), but time is precious at present and preparation still to do. Presumably they just sit on the shop shelves for a while - I can't imagine them throwing them out on a weekly basis or anything - so I'm thinking I might have a weeks to get sorted...??

Thanks

* http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/invt/0207856
http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/invt/0222415
http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/invt/0193675

[Tigger]

The sooner you can remove them from their plastic bags the better, if only because they'll either rot or start to grow in a spindly way.

The easiest thing is to plant them in a pot until you can get them into the ground.