A couple of plots around me have asparagus beds - beautifully prepared and maintained, occupying a piece of valuable growing space for years, and the harvest is only six weeks.   I figure it must be something special - so I've tried.

How to grow it

• Asparagus will grow in most soils, as long as they are deep enough.   They need good drainage, so it is worth preparing the bed well - either double digging, or a raised bed.   Add plenty of organic matter.   Clean out perennial weeds - later weeding risks damaging your plants.   The best spot will be fairly sheltered from wind and frost.
• Trench planting - in March or early April, dig out a trench 12 inches wide and 8 inches deep.   Make a 3 inch mound on the bottom.   Place the asparagus crown over the mound - spread the roots out carefully.   The plants should be about 12 inches apart.   Cover the crowns with 3 inches of soil and water well.   In autumn of the first year, top up the trench to soil level.
• Add a mulch of compost every year.   Apart from the first year, asparagus is unlikely to need watering.
• And wait.   And wait.   And wait.   The idea is to let the plant throw spears (shoots), which will become feathery fronds.   The first shoots are vital for the plant to feed and fatten up the root system for a couple of years.   Stake the fronds so the wind doesn't break them.
• Harvesting
  • First year - no harvest
  • Second year - no harvest
  • Third year - in early May, some of the spears will reach 4 or 5 inches tall.   With great care and a very sharp knife, cut them out about 3 inches below the soil.   Avoid damaging other shoots.   If you have too few to be worthwhile, cut them and stand them in water until your next cutting.   Stop cutting at the end of May, and let the later spears grow into those vital fronds.
  • Fourth year - as you did in the third year, but you can extend the harvest for two weeks.
• Asparagus can also be grown from seed.