Starting asparagus from seed in pots

iambogwitch

Hi All,

I'd like to get some asparagus plants started to put out on my allotment. Ideally, I'd like to start them from seed in pots this year and transfer them once I'd weeded out the females and selected the strongest males.

Has anyone done this? Am I on a hiding to nowhere? All the advice I've seen online is to give massive root space and even then, potted plants won't last long. Since it will only be for the first year, is this a viable approach?

Thanks,

Boggy

Lizzie27

I wouldn't bother as I think they'd take years to be productive - there's a reason why you only find them advertised as young plants. I planted two year old roots and still waited 3 years for spears.

Skandi

I did that, they spent about half a year in pots (some flowered within a month of germinating) They then went into a nursery bed for a year and were then moved to their real home. so the plants are 3 years old this year and are looking good. They will be pickable next year I think, the spears are nice and thick this year but I'm going to give them an extra year. (when the plants are 4)

iambogwitch

Lizzie27 said:

I wouldn't bother as I think they'd take years to be productive - there's a reason why you only find them advertised as young plants. I planted two year old roots and still waited 3 years for spears.

I understand what you're saying but I'd like to try. I just wanted to know if there are any problems if I take this approach. I'm well aware that there is a long time between sow and harvest.

iambogwitch

Skandi said:

I did that, they spent about half a year in pots (some flowered within a month of germinating) They then went into a nursery bed for a year and were then moved to their real home. so the plants are 3 years old this year and are looking good. They will be pickable next year I think, the spears are nice and thick this year but I'm going to give them an extra year. (when the plants are 4)

Thanks, I was hoping I'd find some who had tried this approach. I expect mine to stay in the pots for more like 10 months. What size pots did you use? I've got some 30cm which I'm hoping will be enough. How large did the roots grow in the nursery bed?