digging up asparagus...

[digiveg]

Morning, all -
I'm a new member - brought here by my good friend Hedgewizard - and a keen gardener. My wife and I are moving to Wales soon and are considering trying to take our 5-year old asparagus with us. We had an incredible crop this year and are hoping to avoid another multi-year wait while the new crowns we're planning on planting next year grow-in. BUT...I've only ever heard of people either planting asparagus seeds or 1-year-old crowns, and never heard anyone talk about transplanting them later on. Has anyone out there ever tried moving mature plants? Successfully? Do tell...

[hedgewizard]

Never mind digi, I still love you.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Organic_ ... _Asparagus

[digiveg]

That's very nice, but WHAT ABOUT DIGGING UP ASPARAGUS???!!!

The thing is, they're on my allotment. I feel quite attached to them, especially as this year we had such a great harvest, but if digging them up isn't going to work then I'd much rather leave them for the next person.

Help!!!

[hedgewizard]

Er, did you read that link? Unless I miss my guess, transplanting equals diggin up, moving and burying again. I would think they'd last the car journey wrapped in damp sacking, as long as you're not slow getting them dug in again at the other end. It might be better to prepare the bed on a previous trip.

[p999j]

That's very nice, but WHAT ABOUT DIGGING UP ASPARAGUS???!!!

The thing is, they're on my allotment. I feel quite attached to them, especially as this year we had such a great harvest, but if digging them up isn't going to work then I'd much rather leave them for the next person.

Help!!!

I believe asparagus don't transplant well- I read something about it after I shifted a single plant into an area I had made as an asparagus bed for about 20 plants. However, the plant I did shift survived. I think the answer is that if it was possible for it to be successful to move them after 1 year old crowns, then they would be sold as later crowns/plants in garden centres when they were of a productive age, rather than us all having to wait several years for a good crop. Maybe that's an opening in the market, if it is poss....
If I were you, I'd hedge my bets by taking half, in the manner suggested, and but new crowns as a back up.
Cheers

[hedgewizard]

That's far too sensible!

[digiveg]

Hmmm...methinks I'll give it a try. Ta for the link, Hedgie, I finally got round to reading it.

It sounds as if aparagus divides naturally, so I may end up with a much bigger bed than I started with. Hope my back can take the strain...