Asparagus Gijnlim is a very early-cropping variety. Produces top quality, medium thickness spears. Suitable for both white and green spear production.
SOW: April
HARVEST: 3 years later in April
WHERE TO SOW:
Asparagus can be sown directly in soil (no need to start off inside). Traditionally, asparagus is sown in a seed bed outside, and the transplanted to their final position the next year. To work well, the seedbed must be free draining, with a sunny aspect and low risk of frost.
In the autumn prior to sowing, dig over the seedbed adding well rotted compost and removing weeds. Asparagus seeds are sown in April. Soak the seeds in water for 4 hours prior to sowing, aiding germination.
Sow seeds thinly at a depth of about 5cm. Rows should be 30cm apart. About 21 days later the seedlings will emerge. Gradually thin out as the seedlings progress so that by the time they are 20cm high, the spacing between plants should be 30cm.
For the rest of the year it's just a case of weeding and watering. An important tip is to remove the female plants as they are less productive. Female plants are identified as they produce berries. In year two, carefully dig up the plants and transplant them in their final position in an asparagus bed. For each row of asparagus, dig a trench 30cm deep and fill it to 20cm with compost, then replace the soil. The row will now appear as a ridge into which the 1 year old asparagus are transplanted. Fertilise with general purpose fertiliser in spring and autumn.
The first harvest is in year 3. The season is from March to June, but it's a good idea to harvest just 8 weeks to allow the plant to recover. Harvest spears by cutting off just below the surface (often on a daily basis!). Bumper crops are common and asparagus freezes well.
