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[EarthNSky <erthnsky AT bellsouth.net>]

My asparagus bed is starting to wane in production.  When I planted it, 
almost 10 years ago, I was the only one in my family that ate asparagus. 
 I believe I planted about 12-15 crowns originally, thinking that would 
be enough.
Now, my entire family has learned to love asparagus and I need to plant 
more.  I wanted to mention this here in case someone else might be also 
thinking about planting asparagus.
I originally had no idea of how much to plant.  I never gave it much 
thought.  Now, I realize that I like about a dozen spears per serving, 
larger would be better, but a dozen spears will do.  If I planted a 
dozen crown, and each crown produced a spear, that would give one person 
one meal.  A few days later, I could have another serving.
However, all crowns don't produce spears at the same rate.  some crowns 
skip a day or produce pencil size crowns whereas some crowns produce 
large fat spears and grow very quickly.  I think to figure out how much 
you need to plant, you first decide your portion size...for
Portion size in number of spears = number of crowns, approximately x the 
number of people x frequency of eating asparagus per week.

I am getting two servings per week plus a few stragglers that I add to 
my salads(raw).  For us, that is only enough to whet our appetites for 
more.

So, for DH and I and my daughter Katie,
let's say 15 spears per serving x 3 people = 45 crowns
45 crowns x 2 meals a week= 90 crowns
Straggler spears can go into salad, and I now have a pickled asparagus 
recipe if I get tired of grilled asparagus or raw spears in salads.
I think I would like to grow about 50% more than I think I will need 
because I'd like to try new recipes, like this soup:

Cream of Asparagus Soup
Take leftover asparagus stalks(assuming you have removed the spear head 
for another recipe or for salad) and cut off the tough, wood ends.  Peel 
spear with vegetable peeler to remove the tough outer layer.  Steam 
stalks until soft then puree in a blender with a bit of water to make a 
runny paste.  For each cup of puree, add 1 cup of milk to which 2 TBSP 
of flour has been mixed in well, and then 1 cup of cream.  Add 1 TBSP of 
butter, salt and pepper, and heat soup until the flour begins to thicken 
the soup.


So I have come to the conclusion that I need at least 90 crowns for the 
three of us, but that is just the base, minimum number of crowns.  I'm 
thinking that having 135 crowns should give us plenty of asparagus to 
grill and roast fresh, eat in salads, make asparagus soup, and some to 
give as gifts and some to pickle.

So the next problem is determining where I would put 135 crowns of 
asparagus!  Originally I spaced my crowns as recommended, giving them 
room to expand, but I think I may have given them too much space. I 
planted them 12" apart in two rows, about 30" between rows.  But even 
after ten years, they have not filled in the interim space.  I get 
multiple spears, but the crowns are not even close to being crowded. 
I'm considering all options, but keep coming back to a wood sided raised 
bed like I had before.  If I made a bed that was 3x50, that would give 
me 150 sf, a bit more than the minimum 1 sf need per crown.  OR, I could 
make four box-style raised beds 1.5 ft wide x 25 feet long.  I could put 
them around the garden next to the chicken moat, or create a large 
square, or make chevrons with the boxes that divert water from all the 
springs to the sides of the garden.  That might be the answer.  I'll 
think on it.  Buying 135 crowns of asparagus won't be cheap, so I will 
have time to think while I save up.  I will attempt to collect and 
harvest seed later in the season.  Obviously, growing my own 1 year 
crowns to transplant will the the least expensive route, IF I can do it.

I recall that someone posted how to process the seeds a while back.  If 
anyone has that handy or remembers when it was posted, I'd appreciate 
the tip to reduce the time needed to search the archives.  If anyone has 
any other suggestions, feel free to speak up!

Bev

--
"The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public 
debt  should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered 
and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed 
lest Rome become bankrupt.  People must again learn to work, instead of 
living on public assistance."

--Cicero, 55 BC
http://erthnsky.blogspot.com/