Spears per plant

[grahama]

Hi all,

I am going to establish, (try to), some asparagus plants this year in my new raised beds. I have read that you only get 2 spears per crown per year. Is this correct??

Thanks in advance,

Graham

[Jeanied]

Hi Grahama - I think this one all depends on how healthily your plants are growing - but as a rule the established plants should have only some of their spears cut for the table and the rest left to renew the plant. I have approx 5 plants growing (or maybe had, after this winter) and I only ever pick sparingly as I want them to build up huge great crowns. Then I think you would get a smidgin more than 2 off each one!

[Jillyreeves]

Check out these links :-)

BBC - Gardening - Gardening Guides - Techniques - Growing asparagus

How to grow Asparagus, everything you need to know

Growing Asparagus - How to Grow Asparagus from Allotment Vegetable Growing Advice and Guides

[Glutton4...]

I'm sure you get more than that. My Dad has 30 or so Asparagus plants, we harvest these until the end of June, then let them grow to feed the plant for the following year, before cutting the ferns down in winter.

I know you shouldn't harvest the first year, and sparingly the second, like with Rhubarb, but I'm sure they throw up more than two per plant per year.