How to store the crowns before planting

[moggy]

hi all, hope everyone is well!

just a quick one, acquired some asparagus yesterday in little bags with sawdust in, as its a bit early to be planting them what's the best way/place to store them?

also i think i have some asparagus ferns in another part of the garden - under the apple tree, these grew to 6ft last year and the year before, got berries on then died and turned yellow....are these the same as edible asparagus? ie if i nab the spears before they turn into full plants can they be eaten?

cheers
moggy

[Nikki]

You can crop asparagus for about 6 weeks only in May / June ish. Then the spears are left to grow into the frondy things you have. They should be cut back in the Autumn. The berries are on the female plants and generally don't produce as much of a crop as the male plants.

Asapragus crowns as far as I know can be put in in the autumn, or early spring providing the soil is warm enough, and the ground given a little protection with a cloche. They should be planted on a ridge in a trench so the roots 'flop' down either side of the crown. You will need to work in plenty of organic stuff and nutrients. They can be prone to rot if they get to soggy.

[moggy]

Nice one, thanks, where's the best place to keep the plants before planting as its a bit damp at the moment.

[Nikki]

Cool (frost free) and dry, bit like spuds.

[splodger]

when i dug up loads last year - i kept them in shopping baskets full of spent / dry compost - that worked a treat