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Asparagus help...and...cinder block beds

Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html


Re: Asparagus, If Mel doesn't have a plant in the book, chances are that HE
doesn't think that it is a candidate for the Sq Ft method, there are some
notable exceptions.

Asparagus needs lots of room for an extensive, wide ranging root system. I
have a cinder block bed made up of 2 Ls of 3X10 block legs, this makes 3
courses of 26 blocks to create an inside open area of 39-1/4" X 148-5/8"(~)
as I used no mortar.

I have a single row of 11 asparagus plants in this area, which is pushing
the envelope, space wise. My research indicates that it is ok to grow a row
of determinate tomato plants against ONE long block wall. To be successful
doing this one needs a VERY WELL FED soil, lots of manure et al, with 2-3
applications during the season.

If you have soggy soil at any period during the year YOU MUST use some form
of raised bed for Asparagus, other wise the roots will rot out in 2 - 3
years and you will have lost all of your invested time and resources. (This
from experience!!!!)

Re Varieties: You did not identify your geographic location, which will have
some bearing on your choice. I would peruse the better seed catalogs and
select a variety from the information gained. If seed is too slow, look for
plants of the chosen variety, most of the catalogs will offer plants. The
best bet is to ask the locals, bearing in mind that some of the newer
varieties bear greater yields, etc.

On to cinder blocks. As I stated above, I used no mortar for my 3 tier
bed(s,) not because I didn't want to, but because I may have to move early
2002 and I certainly intend to take my garden with me.

The only problems I have experienced due to no mortar is that irrigation
water shows some seepage through the joints. I have experienced an
(unrelated????) problem of soil settling in the planted holes in the
blocks - who amongst us could resist the 2 planters provided by the holes in
each top block. I lost about 2-1/2 - 3" elevation in each hole. I hope this
is a one time settling!



Regards,
DT (aka Dore Tyler)  dee_tee@msn.com
Doing his own thing in the privacy of his own garden.
USDA Zone 8b, Tacoma, WA


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