THE VEGETABLE GARDEN

Evening Star, Issue 23864, 19 April 1941, Page 4

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN

HOW TD MAKE AN ASPARAGUS BED Asparagus is no doubt one of the best vegetables we have in cultivation, but in many gardens it is generally a failure. The reason is not very far to sock. In many cases the bed is not properly made. The crowns are simply planted as you would potatoes or other similar plants, and the result is, cf course, a failure. When planted under such conditions, the crowns m time die out, or simply throw up a lot of thin, spindly grass. First of all, this plant is a perennial, and if the bed to redeive it is prepared in a practical manner, the plant will last and give good results for many years, and will require very little attention. The first cost wilt he more than covered by the returns of the first two seasons. The site selected to form the bed should be if possible a sunny one, and also protected from the prevailing winds. If in a sloping position so much the better, as good drainage is most essential. The bed should, if possible, be made about 6ft wide, leaving a narrow path at each side. Tins will allow the cutting to be done without trampling on tho bed. The soil should bo rich and open, but any good garden soil is suitable, providing it is made rich with liberal applications of animal manure.

The whole of the soil to form tho bed should bo removed to a depth of not less than 2ft. The soil, when being removed, should be placed on each side of the bed. If the soil is of a clayey composition it should be removed altogether, and replaced with good turfy loam or similar material. After the soil has been removed the bottom should have a good layer of rough material, such as breeze, or any old' mortar rubble. This will ensure a good drainage, which is most important in the production of good asparagus. On this should bo placed, if obtainable, a layer of rough bone, or failing this, a layer of turf, placing tho grass on the drainage. The turf should be placed close together, so as to keep the drainage clear. On the turf a good dressing of bonemeal should be spread, then about 6iu to Sin of the soil which has been placed on the sides should be shovelled over the bonemeal and the whole made firm with the feet. If the soil is on (he heavy side a good dressing of coarse sand should ho worked in before spreading it over the bone meal. If a good supply of wellrotted animal manure is available this can be utilised instead of bonemeal. It should be put on about 6in deep, covering it as advised for bonemeal.

Having completed this work the bed should be allowed to remain open until the crowns are available for planting. Tho crowns should bo two years old. It is not advisable to plant three-year-olds, as they take much longer to establish themselves, and lime is lost in this way. The crowns should be planted in rows about 15in to 18in apart, according to size, and care must be exercised to spread out the roots evenly, covering them well with soil which has a mixture of either wellrotted manure or blood and bone. The whole is then made firm over the roots. If the bed can bo raised at least a foot above the level of the surrounding ground so much tho better, as it is most essential that the air and sun can penetrate into the sides of the bed.

Asparagus responds most readily to heavy feeding throughout the growing season, and it is useless to attempt to grow this plant with any success in poor soil. Crowns for planting are gencraly available about Juno, and Connovcr’s Colossal is a recommended variety, being very hardy and quick in growth.