It is rather remarkable all of the expert planting instructions that exists concerning Asparagus. Someone thought asparagus was a tricky plant to get going and I wonder if perhaps I live on a different planet. In a way I guess I do because my no till deep mulched soil is different than most. By simply planting seeds or placing bare roots in the soil with no special arrangements I have had no trouble starting asparagus. It’s a perennial and yes it takes a few seasons to get goin but since when was patience such a reputable sin? I question if you can’t affordably speed the process much with special treatment. My soil is soft, moist and nutrient rich everywhere.

Conventional techniques suggest that you dig a long trench several inches deep and then arrange the bare roots of your new asparagus shoots so they are spread out over a small hill of imported soil that you will water and slowly cover with new shallow layers over time the asparagus grows until you are again level with the ground. Gasp, hold my rake while I catch a breath!

If there time can not distinguish between plants that were buried using extreme care and those simply thrown in the ground then what of such effort? As a no till soil enthusiast this technique makes me cringe by how much damage is done to the soil by digging it up. I wonder sometimes if so many of these types of methods did not evolve from spectators who observed gardeners that just love to play in the dirt and have all the time in the world to micromanage every conceivable advantage for their plants? I can understand that because I too have caught my self getting sidetracked building fairy gardens and sand castles while planting peas. An onlooker might believe believe such things to be necessary when most things in my garden are simply for décor and order after my own preferences. The basic requirements for a functioning garden are nothing more than a boring spot of ground without borders, grow boxes, or trellises. I knew a new gardener in my neighboring city who insisted his boxes, walk ways and watering system had to be after an exact fashion because that was precisely the way his mentor did it. His grow boxes even had to be made of the same wood. That’s learning how to “do” and not how to “think”. I’d prefer to understand the principles at play and then create my own space. But I digress.

2023 was a particularly long winter followed by a long delayed spring. Commenters on local gardening forums were asking about their asparagus because they could see no signs of shoots by mid April. This is normal though as was the general consensus that Asparagus waits and knows when to come up. I can already see my new Asparagus shoots though, probably because of my insulating mulch.