In order to identify the female plants I think you'd have to grow them to seed bearing age (3 years?) - and you might want to make sure they don't get a chance to drop potentially-female seed before weeding them out. Some writers suggest you don't want any seed to drop anyway, to avoid overcrowding the bed with new volunteer plants. As for shipping across borders, many US companies do ship seed to Canada but I haven''t found any willing to ship asparagus root. Whether that's because they're prohibited, and whether it also applies to other plants, I don't know.

Hi Lynda, I would love to have your extra crowns. I'm just getting started in VA so I don't have much to offer besides veggie seed. Just ordered a bunch of heirlooms from Baker Creek that are likely to do well in the south. When the seeds come in I can divide some packs and give you a variety. What do you think? Thanks! Jessica

Makes no real difference. I'd just plant them as is as it is all going to be buried anyway. Be sure the roots get fanned/spread out and all the crown buried. Dave

Agree. Even years-old crowns, when transplanted, require at least a year to get re-established before harvesting. That's the way gus works. And even then it is a limited harvest. Buy 2 yr old crowns and plan on store bought gus this year and next. Dave