Asparagus

[melv16]

I planted a new bed of asparagus last year. It struggled to establish itself, due to the hot weather I think.
I weeded the bed yesterday and it is still struggling.
Do I persevere with these plants or start again with new stock?

[woofgang]

I would persevere. Asparagus does take a few years to establish in my experience.

[spathiphyllum]

From seed or head?

[luciustool]

I think you mean seed or crowns

[spathiphyllum]

I do

[melv16]

Crowns. They were planted last year.

[luciustool]

You could side-dress each of your asparagus plants with 1 1/2 ounces of ammonium nitrate or ammonium sulfate when the ferns begin to grow.
It takes a good three seasons before you can crop Asparagus so be patient.

[spathiphyllum]

"Crowns. They were planted last year."

Give them a bit longer.

[Old_Geezer]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingasparagus1.shtml

"Harvesting. Most plants are ready to be picked two years after planting, although several modern varieties have been bred for earlier cropping."

[melv16]

Thanks for your replies. I'm going to leave them in for another year and see what happens.

[interele]

Not an answer but a side thought ... I have asparagus which is not exactly producing a mega crop - it's been in 2 years and produces a spear or so at the moment. It is taking up half a raised bed and produces *** all! I don't want to give up on them so could I 'co-plant' something like lettuce or spring onions that quick and transient to use the space while the asparagus get themselves organised

[alavahalf]

Dont want to make you jealous, but I am having asparagus for the third time this week .. mine have been in the ground for just over three years now. They were put in as crowns .. 9 of them. They really are a hit and miss plant with just 2 ouf the 9 producing lots of spears.
The asparagus bed is only active for 5 or six weeks a year, so there is no reason for not slotting in a few things like lettuece and spring onions. The spring onions I would strt off in a 2" x 2" module. Put about 10 or 12 seeds in a few modules and then transplant when they are about 3" tall. Have done this for a few years now and have great results. Start more of in 4 weeks time and keep them coming.