asapargus in pots

[brainfarmer]

im pleased to announce the arrival of my first 1/2 dozen asparagus tips in one of the 4 pots i have been growing it in for the last 3 years. it always heralds the arrival of spring for me and the fact i ignored all the advice i read that u cant grow it in pots.

[Kayleigh]

It just goes to show if you don't try you will never know. I am growing all sorts of things in pots this year from broad beans and chillies to garlic we brought home from the IOW. I have not tried asparagus though. I may give it a go what size is the pot you used?.

[brainfarmer]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

It just goes to show if you don't try you will never know. I am growing all sorts of things in pots this year from broad beans and chillies to garlic we brought home from the IOW. I have not tried asparagus though. I may give it a go what size is the pot you used?.

i think its 24 inches big plastic thing. i originally planted the seeds in 2001 variety 'martha washington' and was suprised at how easy they were to germinate. due to personal circumstances i was moving about a lot the 3 plants were completely neglected for 3 years but survived unscathed. i put them in these pots 3 years ago the main thing is to ensure very good drainage so i drilled big holes in the bottom of the pots, crocked them then about 4 inches of gravel. i feed them every two weeks in the growing season with a general purpose liquid fertilizer.
with seed it takes up to 3 years to get a crop so it may be easier to order 2 year old plants for quicker results.

[brainfarmer]

a funny thing has happened this year my asparagus is being attacked by slugs or snails i can see the mucous trails. they only attack the more mature spears which seems strange as on most plants they eat the most tender growth first. im considering using a fair amount of salt to deter the little buggers but wondered if anyone else had ideas.
see above for how im growing them.

[Kayleigh]

Put some chopped carrot around the base of the plants the idea they eat that in stead. Salt may harm the plants.

[brainfarmer]

i had read that asparagus can benefit from almost a top dressing of salt that was my thinking but being a coward i wondered if anyone had tried it.

[thunder]

Originally Posted by brainfarmer

i had read that asparagus can benefit from almost a top dressing of salt that was my thinking but being a coward i wondered if anyone had tried it.

I think you are correct - Asparagus can cope with salt as it's originally a coastal plant.

thunder

[Garden Carpet]

I stand pots on gravel which deters the slithery fiends.. also.. as they are in pots.. perhaps sticking some coarse sandpaper around the pot might work.
Jaki

[brainfarmer]

well despite the attacks of the molluscs i cut my first 6 spears today. there are about another 20 that will be ready to harvest in the next week. once the weather warms up that bit they grow quicker than just about anything iv'e seen. fresh organic asaparagus with salmon for tea tonight.

[smartie]

Originally Posted by Garden Carpet

I stand pots on gravel which deters the slithery fiends.. also.. as they are in pots.. perhaps sticking some coarse sandpaper around the pot might work.
Jaki

I use the copper tape that you can buy in rolls to put round my pots, and it does seem to work very well.

I'm fascinated that asparagus will grow well in pots. I must have a go. We once made an asparagus bed in a garden we had in Sheffield, tended it for two years - and moved out of the house just as the first spears were coming.