This is the third and final time I will plant a new asparagus bed. I’m planning to be at the plot for at least 10 years so I will get a decent return on the investment.

On the last two occasions I have purchased one year crowns from Kent Asparagus Farms but they seem to be no more. This time I went with Cambridge Farmers Outlet who are offering 3 year old crowns. I chose 3 of Purple Pacific and 3 of Guelph Eclipse, thinking that as I’m the only one who eats asparagus, 6 plants would be plenty. Something went awry in the warehouse as I was sent 6 of each. They arrived in the middle of the week, which seems to be a pattern and resulted in a quick dash to plot to temporary heel in aka lightly cover with soil.

This is a little early to plant asparagus but I’m impatient to get everything done. I’m hopeful that as these started in life in Cambridge soil, they are adapted to clay conditions.

First step was to dig the trench – long enough to allow about 30cm between crowns, 30 cm deep and about 50cm wide. That resulted in a huge pile of soil that I covered just in case of yet more rain. That was day 1 – I didn’t have weak shoulder joints when I did this in 2017.

Back today after a swift visit to the garden centre for 2 bags of grit, 3 of manure and 3 of compost – all to improve drainage and increase nutrient levels.

The next task was to loosen the base of the trench, which revealed yellow clay and below that is gravel and sand. This has to be a winning combination for asparagus. As I loosened about a third of the trench, I worked in some manure and grit and removed bindweed roots; the soil is as weed-free as I can make it.

Once I’d completed the whole trench, I added two bags of compost to form the mound for the crowns to sit on. I added bonemeal as well.

There was space for 10 crowns, my plot neighbour was happy to take the two spares. The final phase was to fill in with the soil removed from the trench, incorporating compost as I went. The crowns are covered with about 6 cm of soil.

Now the long wait, no cutting until 2026. This year and next I will leave the spears to grow into ferns cutting those back late winter and mulching the bed.

Here’s a reminder of the last asparagus bed I made; I miss that soil!

Waiting for 2020