The last thirty-five years has seen a great levelling out of social
distinctions and many things which were the prerogative of one class are
now shared more widely. Curiously enough, the type of what might be
called luxury vegetables has increased very little. Asparagus could be
placed in this category and fewer asparagus beds are laid down now,
partly because of the space the beds or rows occupy in relation to the
size of the ordinary garden and partly because of the length of time
that must elapse from seed to cutting. This is another crop which can be
grown in the flower garden if the temptation to cut the decorative
foliage in summer can be resisted.
Asparagus may be grown as a single row crop and in this
way does not occupy so much space as would a bed. The raised bed certainly has
advantages especially in wet districts or where the soil is thin.
Beds are best prepared some months in advance of planting
which should be done in April. First mark out one bed about 4ft. wide and as
long as is convenient. Double dig this and add as much manure as possible, then
dig out a path-like strip on either side about 2ft. wide and spread this soil on
the bed. Into this work bonemeal and muriate of potash at 30zs. and Zozs. per
sq. yd. respectively. Do this some months in advance of planting and allow to
settle. Work in old mortar rubble or crushed limestone, using an ordinary
bucketful for 6 sq. yds. On light soils use half this quantity. Salt is
beneficial, particularly on light sandy soils, a dressing of an ounce to the
square yard in mid April being followed after a three week interval by another
smaller amount. As it takes three years from seed before the plants are big
enough to plant out, it pays to buy in three-year-old plants, even then no
cutting must be taken the season following planting. Subsequent cultivation
consists of keeping the bed free from weeds and keeping the soil fertile either
by giving a spring dressing of manure or by watering during the growing season,
with liquid manure. Row cropping is no different from planting out a row of
lettuces, allow a space of 2ft. 6ins. on each side of the row and space the
plants at about l5ins. apart-spacing in the bed the same, i.e., 15ins. from
plant to plant. Never cut after the end of June, but allow the foliage to
develop, cutting this down in November. Clumps of fine plants dotted about in
the herbaceous border will provide several boilings of the exquisitely flavoured
vegetable and later in the year the fern-like foliage looks really attractive
amongst the summer flowers. If this foliage is snipped for use in vases in the
house, grow a few plants separately for this purpose, as the result of foliage
cutting is to make the edible heads smaller each year. Connovers Colossal is the
most widely grown variety but other good sorts are Argenteuil, Kidners strain
and White Cap.
