BBC Gardeners' World

Plant details

• Common Name: Asparagus
• Genus: Asparagus
• Species: officinalis
• Cultivar: 'Franklim'
• Skill Level: experienced
• Exposure: full sun
• Hardiness: hardy
• Soil type: chalky/alkaline, clay/heavy, dry, well-drained/light
• Height: 1.5m
• Spread: 0.9m
• Time to plant seeds: March to April
• Time to divide plants: March to April

Asparagus does not need traditional wide raised beds, nor is it the luxury crop often assumed. The plants have very decorative ferny foliage and may be grown in single rows in the kitchen garden, or even in groups in a flower border. Crowns can be bought for planting and will start cropping well 1 to 2 years later, or plants can be raised from seed. All-male varieties have revolutionised cultivation - they are much more prolific than traditional kinds, earlier in their lives, and do not waste energy on producing seeds.