Asparagus crowns planted in the autumn.

Would any of you lovely people have any experience of planting asparagus crowns in the autumn rather than spring.

We are in the process of building a raised bed which will be filled with rotted manure & top soil, is it worth me waiting until spring or going ahead with autumn planted crowns.

Advice please.

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Permalink Reply by Colin Robinson on July 19, 2012 at 21:52

I've only ever planted them in the spring but I suspect there's a strong chance they may rot over winter if planted at the back end. They are sensitive things and don't like to be waterlogged but you should be OK with a raised bed. This is one of those situations where I'd definitely stick with tradition and plant the crowns in spring.

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Permalink Reply by Joanne on July 20, 2012 at 13:53

I do tend to agree, planting in the spring would allow the manure further chance to rot down. Its only a few extra months to wait for spring. I saw the autumn planting crowns when looking online for ideas for next year so i thought i would ask. I shall wait till spring.

Colin Robinson said:

I've only ever planted them in the spring but I suspect there's a strong chance they may rot over winter if planted at the back end. They are sensitive things and don't like to be waterlogged but you should be OK with a raised bed. This is one of those situations where I'd definitely stick with tradition and plant the crowns in spring.

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Permalink Reply by Jan Willetts on July 20, 2012 at 22:49

I purchased some autumn planting crowns from T&M last year, had a few wispy spears but am letting them grow foliage so that the plant can absorb sunshine to grow stronger next year-hope the sunshine arrives soon. The difference with autumn planting is that the soil is warm so they develop an underground root system, soil has been slow to warm up this year. There appear to be different types more suited to autumn or spring, according to last years offers.