Well we have had a wonderful few days getting the allotment sorted ! :D

Both patches rotivated and so far 3/4 of the first patch planted up with carrots,parsnips, peas,cabbages, broadbeans,onions,spinach, chard,beetroot, and a job load of garlic, mmmmmmmm yummy  ! :D

We have also created a wonderful willow hurdle herb garden :)

One thing I have been pondering about is growing some asparagus :)

Just wondered if anybody else has tried, how successful they have been,what conditions do they need, how much space and what is the best variety ?

Lucy
xx

We grew asparagus from seed :) It has taken years to get enough to make a couple of servings , but we only have a very small patch and we have neglected it :) The main thing is to cut it as soon as it is tall enough and not to let it bolt to seed. It does take a long time - the shoots start off very thin, but each year they will get thicker. Can't tell you about conditions except that ours seems to do quite well being neglected :D

It's really yummy though being able to pick it and put it almost straight into the saucepan :)

Good luck

Daisy

Edited to add that we have tried pickling our garlic from last year - so will let you know how we get on :)

Ooh! Chard is lovely - have you grown Swiss or (my fave) rainbow? So pretty (and tasty) - and long-lasting! I'm still getting a few leaves from last year's sowing. It's kept going all winter.

Asparagus is great but it takes time to get established. If you can get a few roots planted this year you should have a meal's worth in two year's time, then it'll get going.
:)

I'm sure that you are doing this, Lucy :) - but do keep a diary of what you plant (varieties, when planted etc) and then write in how the crop does and whether you liked it :) It is incredibly frustrating when you want to repeat something (or the opposite) the next year and can't remember what you planted :D

Daisy

I hadn't thought of keeping a diary but will do as it is a very good idea ! :)

It is rainbow chard we are growing. I love it also and as you say is such a lovely plant colourwise :)

I may wait til next year to try the asparagus I think :)

We have planted out today aload of strawberries, blueberries, loganberries to go with the rasberries which the last occupants have kindly left us ! :)