Asparagus crowns can be planted up to 8 inches deep. Why? Deeper planting will result in fewer but larger, disease-free spears. Use the staggered spacing described by Dave above, but also: for each staggered row make a trench about 12 inches wide and 8 inches deep. Mound up soil in the bottom of the trench--use loose, manure-enriched soil--this mound will be about 3 inches high. Spread the claw-like asparagus roots gently on the mound, spaced 12 to 15 inches apart. Then cover the crowns with 2 inches of light soil. When the shoots emerge later in spring gradually over the season fill in the remainder of the trench with soil--never fully cover the growing tips. Continue until the end of the season when the trench is filled, then cut off the foliage. Next year--first limited harvest year--you will begin to reap the benefits of this method: stronger plants, thicker spears. Here is a link that might be useful: HarvestToTable.com

In the fall after the crowns go dormant. Have the new location all prepared first and then dig up the crowns from the old bed and move them one or two at a a time. Try not to leave them exposed to the air any longer than necessary. How old your crowns are will determine how big a root ball you will need to dig up with each but take as much as you can. Water them in well then give them a year to recover before harvesting any again. We have moved three different beds this way with approx. 90% survival. Dave

Hi Dan, I dug through my computer history and found the page I loved so much about asparagus roots. I've switched from gardening my veggies next door in the sun to only my own yard recently, so have been useing my beloved computer. Let's start with .. remember asparagus gets REALLY tall. The ferns come up to my shoulder height and are so beautiful I'm thinking about useing my new planting as a background for a perennial bed this time 'round. Maybe. So be sure your spot is not going to shade anything that wants sun. I'm wondering about your soil too. The newer , popular varieties , all male, start with the word Jersey ! So maybe your in the most perfect spot ever to grow this ? Jersey Giant, and the other two I forget, but they both start with Jersey. Asparagus wants alkaline soil, so here in my slightly acid soil, it's the only thing I use dolomite lime for. I would definitely skip the peat moss.. super acid. Vermiculite : I'm not a big fan. Pick up a piece and squish it between your fingers. No rebound. It's just lays there flat as a pancake. Vermiculite retains moisture nicely, so it's a good addition to a seed starting tray, but other than that, it's always seemed like money for physiological gain only. What you want is fiber. Your compost is perfect. When I need more, I tend to use fine pumice..but what with those roots going two feet the first year and a total of ten feet later, I'm not too sure they need that sort of help. ;) They are heavy feeders.. so well aged manure fits the menu. I do use on occasion a mix a local fuel company sells, of our city yard compost and mushroom compost. It's such nice stuff ! There are those that will not use any city compost due to residents use of lawn ferts and such, but with my mix it's so dilute and I got to thinking my own tree leaves..and I have too many.. are filled with car pollution. Uck.. but it's the best I've got. Balancing out all the pollutants I do avoid, and those I can't ... I have tossed some of this around veggies now and then. Mostly when I'm short of the home made stuff. Mushroom compost is pre-limed BTW. Maybe go to a local specialty nursery and see what they recommend for your area? This time of year they really need the business and have time to help with questions like this. Mid-week is best. Your county extension service might also be a good source, and easy to Google. Looking forward to learning all about Jersey asparagus. Here is a link that might be useful: asparagus roots, ten feet down !

Sarah, What the others have told you is good advice. Back off the watering some. How deep did you plant the crowns? I would say 10 out of 20 crowns would show something 2-3 weeks if planted 4" deep (but in a trench for adding depth later). Some can take 6 weeks though with 4". If yours is deeper than that they can still get through but it takes longer. You were a little late planting so that may throw it off a little too from my experience. On the bright side when they exit the ground and see light, they will grow very fast, like a foot in a week and start to "Fern-out". They will be laughable in size compared to what you see in the store so do not be surprised or disappointed. They get larger in time. Asparagus can be tedious at times so read up on the OSU fact sheets in regards to them so you can be ready if you see trouble. Good luck! Christopher S. OKC