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Post by stevil on Sept 19, 2009 13:56:38 GMT -5
Anyone know when the best time is for dividing an asparagus plant in a cold climate?
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Post by mnjrutherford on Sept 19, 2009 21:45:19 GMT -5
When your sober!
Sorry, couldn't help myself. As I understand it, and I'm no expert mind you but I have been reading up on the matter for my own asparagus, the dividing should be done at the same time you would plant the crowns. So, dig/divide/plant all at the same time. Seems to me that someone here on the board is rather knowledgeable about asparagus, but I can't recall whom.
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Post by flowerpower on Sept 20, 2009 6:46:53 GMT -5
I'm moving some of volunteers I see in the next week or 2. Not sure if its the appropriate time, but I have moved it in the autumn before. And its fine. But I would divide spring blooming perennials now, and asparagus is a spring crop. If I'm wrong and I kill it, oh well. I don't even like asparagus. I just grow it for the foliage and berries.
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Post by bunkie on Sept 20, 2009 10:12:24 GMT -5
stevil, do you mean like an Asparagus fern plant? the regular asparagus i have in the ground hasn't ever needed to be divided, as far as i know. do they need to be divided every year? i would agree with flowerpower, if so.
mine are developing a lot of berries/seed. anyone know how to collect and use this seed for starting new plants?
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Post by PatrickW on Sept 20, 2009 10:51:54 GMT -5
I've never thought of dividing an asparagus plant before, but now that I see this thread I and I look around on the Internet I see it's very possible.
Asparagus really seems to be one of those plants where there are lots of 'experts' around, making it really hard to find useful information on it. For example if you look around on planting asparagus crowns, you'll find lots of people offering advice on preparing an ever increasingly deluxe asparagus bed with an ever increasing depth you are suppose to start with, ever increasing spacing between the plants and ever increasing things like fertilizers, compost, etc. I have little doubt you can get good results by following all this advice, but really I want to plant an asparagus bed with an appropriate amount of effort, spacing as close as they will do well and not any more compost or other additives than are necessary. It would be a real plus to have some good advice on appropriate companion plants, instead of fertilizer, again from some one who has actually done this and not just read about it somewhere else!
If you follow the hysteria that often goes along with planting asparagus, you shouldn't ever disturb the crowns, and therefore dividing the crowns is something you 'just don't do'.
I started my asparagus from seed two years ago, again going against popular advice that says you aren't likely to succeed that way. The plants are very variable, with some doing much better than others. I'm beginning to think that replacing the weaker crowns with divisions from the stronger ones is the way to go. If anyone has some real experience that goes along with this approach, I'd love to hear! For example, how many years old should a crown be before you divide it, or does it matter?
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Post by orflo on Sept 20, 2009 12:40:07 GMT -5
Stephen, I did it twice. The first time was after the first frost had struck, but I really don't remember the exact date, probably by the end of October-November; and a second time by the end of February. Both try-outs succeeded and, although asparagus doesn't like the soil conditions over here, gave me the possibility of a small harvest the next spring. I didn't harvest them though, I wanted the plants to get established, which should be the better option.
I suspect you can follow the rule you apply when you divide other plants, I prefer to divide most of them in autumn, but maybe you have had some bad luck doing it in that period of the year.
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Post by stevil on Sept 20, 2009 12:54:40 GMT -5
Sorry, I should have explained a bit more. We are in the process of trying to put together a collection of old asparagus varieties (that's the edible plant) here in Norway. I now have a list of people around the country who have plants which can be traced back over 50 years. I now need to ask the owners to send me material. I know that you can propagate asparagus by dividing the clusters of crowns/tubers (each one of these sends up an asparagus stalk). However, I'm unsure when it is best to do this to maximize the chances of succeeding (I have lost a plant myself some years ago, but don’t remember when it was moved). Asparagus crowns are usually sold in the spring, so I suspect that spring is the best time, i.e., as Jo is implying. However, does this mean that the chances of succeeding are lower in the fall (I would prefer to do it now if possible).
Thanks all for your replies...
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Post by mnjrutherford on Sept 20, 2009 16:16:28 GMT -5
Do you have enough plants that you can experiment and give us back a real answer? Since we seem to be lacking in this area? My original patch, Mary Washington and healthy, is a year and a half old now. We our winters are mild with only occasional snow being expected and normal in any given year. I am willing to sacrifice a portion of my patch for the sake of knowledge. We could combine and report together?
If you work with me, you are allowed a beer ;o)
Bunkie, all mine are from seed. I would love some of your seed when you are ready to make a distribution. I'm trying to hang out and mail all my seed at the same time.
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Post by plantsnobin on Sept 20, 2009 19:13:26 GMT -5
I'm no expert on asparagus, but for my area fall planting of most things would be best, but that is not when nurseries have plants available. Trees and perennial crops such as rhubarb and asparagus are harvested in the fall and put into cold storage, then sent out in spring. If gardeners could get the plants in the fall it would be ideal from the plants point of view, just not the way retail realities work out. Generally for us, fall gives warm soil temps combined with softer rains than spring. Great conditions for plants to get established. If you have at least two months before really cold weather sets in, I would try it now.
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Post by flowerpower on Sept 21, 2009 5:11:02 GMT -5
Stevil, I would get them now as opposed to spring. I try to divide perennials in the opposite season from bloom time.
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Post by bunkie on Sept 21, 2009 9:13:57 GMT -5
...........Bunkie, all mine are from seed. I would love some of your seed when you are ready to make a distribution. I'm trying to hang out and mail all my seed at the same time. ok jo. they are a bright red right now, so will keep an eye on them for picking. |
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Post by mnjrutherford on Sept 21, 2009 10:13:40 GMT -5
Fabamundo Bunkie! HEY VAL! Could you please remember that Bunkie needs to send me asparagus seed? ::ducks just in case Val tries to whack her with a rolled up newspaper:: =o)
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Post by grungy on Sept 21, 2009 13:18:30 GMT -5
With my mind?  I know, what mind??? 8>) |
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Post by mnjrutherford on Sept 21, 2009 16:07:43 GMT -5
I think I saw a mind here yesterday. Maybe I buried it with some extra lime for good measure.... SEEDS! Don't forget to tell Bunkie I'm needy for seedy next springy, ok Grungy?
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
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I know, what mind??? 8>)