Harvest fresh asparagus from March to July with Asparagus Continuity Collection. Creating an asparagus bed is an investment in time and space, but one that brings high rewards. Asparagus Continuity Collection is the perfect package to get you started. From the very early ‘Gijnlim’ to the mid-late season ‘Backlim’ and the very late cropping ‘Raffaelo’, you’ll be enjoying deliciously tender and buttery spears for months!
Asparagus Continuity Collection contains the following varieties:
- Asparagus ‘Gijnlim’ – This reliable variety produces succulent green spears with dark purple tips, from early on in the season. Asparagus ‘Gijnlim’ is an ‘all male’ variety. With no need for seed production, it puts all its energy into producing top quality spears; so you can expect heavier yields than most varieties.Height: 150cm (59″). Spread: 45cm (18″).
- Asparagus ‘Backlim’ – A vigorous, all-male, mid-late cropping variety which is extremely popular with commercial growers. It produces fine, straight spears with a firm tip which are excellent for producing white spears as well as green. It bears compact foliage and has high resistance to hollowness, pink discoloration, and rust. Height: 75cm (30″). Spread: 60cm (24″).
- Asparagus ‘Raffaelo’ – Unlike other very late season varieties where production can drop off, Asparagus ‘Raffaelo’ produces consistently high yields that are ready for harvesting in July. Spear quality is high, with straight smooth spears that have firm tips and boast a large diameter, with a high proportion of spears between 20-26mm. Asparagus ‘Raffaelo’ also has high tolerance against asparagus leaf diseases. Height: 100cm (39in). Spread: 45cm (18″).
Growing Information
Prepare permanent asparagus beds well in advance of receiving your order so that the crowns can be planted without delay. Choose a sheltered position in full sun. Asparagus beds should be richly fertile and well drained. Remove all weeds, and incorporate plenty of well rotted manure or garden compost into the soil to improve soil structure and fertility. On cold, wet soils the addition of sharp sand or grit will help to improve drainage.
Dig long trenches, 20cm (10″) deep by 30cm (12″) wide, and fill the bottom of the trench with 7cm (3″) of well rotted manure or garden compost. Mound up soil on top of the manure to form a ridge along the length of the trench and place the asparagus crowns on top of ridge with their roots draped over the edge of the ridge at a distance of 45cm (18″) apart. Cover the crowns with 7cm (3″) of soil and firm them into their positions.
