Kitchen Garden Forum

I have asparagus growing just outside my back door, planted well over 25 years ago by a previous occupant. I don't eat it, I just let it grow for the fern.

However, it's started spreading a little and is pushing the block paving up, what should I do? Remove the block/s that are in the way, or somehow dig out the asparagus? It did this for the first time last year, but I don't really want it to spread further, is this likely, bearing in mind it's taken 20 years to get this far?

Lucky you, Chantal. Many of us try hard to get asparagus to grow [pres. copmpany excepted - this is my first year with it].

Answer 1. Remove the one block which seems to be raised. Then the ferns will grow happily in the space.

Answer 2. Remove several blocks, dig out most of the crowns and give them away to your delighted neighbours/ fellow-growers/ etc. Then replace most, but not all the blocks, and with luck you'll get clumps growing where you want them.

I speak from a complete lack of knowledge or experience, so I wouldn't take much notice of this unless it makes sense to you.

We only grow asparagus for the fern too and when I say so people looks at me strangely so it's good to find an ally! We grew ours from some red berries growing on someone else's plants.

If you just move the blacks won't it just keep going under more - I suppose the bottom line is which do you value the most? If you are going to dig and split it I wouldn't do it now.

Thanks everyone.

I can move a couple of blocks as they are at the edge, I'm just concerned they may intrude further. I don't like the fern THAT much.

What puzzles me is why they've suddenly grown under a block after 20 years of being over 12 inches away!