First I tilled.
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| Then I trenched |
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| The crowns look like octipii migrating in formation. The internet said that is not necessary to spread out the roots. |
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| Looking up the row |
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| The shorter stick in the foreground (that runs up-down in the photo) is 4' long with blazes every 12". I used it to space the crowns. The longer stick in the background is an 8' furring strip that I used to "calibrate" the compost application. One bag for every 8'. |
Love is planting a row of asparagus because your wife loves asparagus. I can take it or leave it. I don't see what the big deal is. But if this makes her feel cherished, then it is time well spent.
Incidentally, the Caledonia Farmers Elevator on M-50 east of Charlotte has very large crowns of Millennium hybrid asparagus for $1.50 each. Best get them while they are in-stock.
I also planted 7 fruit trees to round out the day.
3 hours time-on-task with a high temperature of 80F and no wind. Time to start taking electrolyte rather than plain water. I am worn out.
I would have tilled twice the width and spread the roots. I did both, one like you just outside a tree line and one spread with wide roots in a 15ft raised bed sunny location. After 3 years the raised bed is producing twice as many shoot. More compost, sunnier area so it's not apples to oranges. From the looks of the soil I think you'll be ok because in central VA our soil has more clay.
ReplyDeleteYou must have a high Ph since you didn't have to incorporate any lime into the soil. I have to use lots when I plant and spread more on the surface every spring to get a good harvest. ---ken
ReplyDeleteI did not get a soil test. This is a snap-shot call.
DeleteAnother reason I did not get a soil test is because the soil is highly variable. In the space of sixty feet there was black, humus rich soil on the south end (slightly up-grade), sandy-loam in the middle and sticky clay-loam on the north end.
Recent history, erosion and glaciers all contributed to the patch-work quilt of what I am working with.
When I helped my uncle set up his asparagus patch, we dug down 4 feet. Then we filled it up with rotten wood, bushes and dead leaves, and finally piled the dirt on top. He wanted to have asparagus from that patch for a few years without needing to fertilize or dress with compost.
ReplyDeleteI understand the thinking behind not wanting to apply manure, even composted manure, to any food that folks might eat raw.
DeleteI see asparagus growing beside the road for years after the birds planted the seed. We have a clump 1/8th mile north of the house that has been there longer than we have..i.e. more than 35 years. The location hardly qualifies as "prime" ground.
We pick wild asparagus every year, and it seems to grow fine in less than ideal locations
ReplyDelete