Asparagus Crowns 'Gijnlim'

Where to Plant

Choose a permanent, sunny position, ideally sheltered from strong winds, with fertile, well-drained soil. Asparagus grows best in its own dedicated bed, where the roots can develop undisturbed. Avoid replanting in an old asparagus bed, as soil-borne pests and diseases can build up over time.

Preparing the Soil

Remove perennial weeds and work well-rotted garden compost or manure into the soil before planting. Good drainage is essential, particularly through winter. If you have heavy clay soil, consider a raised bed. Asparagus prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil, but only add lime if a soil test shows it's needed.

When to Plant Asparagus Crowns

Plant your asparagus crowns as soon as possible after delivery in spring, provided the soil is workable and not waterlogged. If conditions are unsuitable, keep the crowns protected until you can plant them.

How to Plant Asparagus Crowns

For a traditional asparagus bed, dig a trench approximately 30cm wide and 20cm deep. Make a small mound of soil along the bottom, then place each crown on top with the growing points facing upwards. Spread the roots gently over the mound without bending or breaking them.

Space crowns 30–45cm apart, allowing around 90cm between traditional rows. Cover the crowns initially with approximately 5cm of soil and water well, gradually filling the trench as the shoots develop until the soil is level with the surrounding bed.

For a compact, staggered planting arrangement in a dedicated bed, position crowns 30–45cm apart with rows approximately 45cm apart. Allow enough space for the mature foliage to develop.

Planning to Grow White Asparagus?

'Gijnlim' is suitable for producing both green and white asparagus. If you intend to grow white spears using traditional soil ridges, allow extra space between rows. Approximately 1.2–1.5m provides room to build and maintain the ridges needed to exclude daylight. Plant and establish the crowns in the usual way before beginning white asparagus production.

Growing in Raised Beds

Raised beds are particularly useful where drainage is poor. Choose a deep, permanent bed with enough space for the roots to spread and the mature foliage to develop.

Growing Asparagus in Containers

Asparagus can be grown in large containers if garden space is limited, although it generally performs better in the ground. Choose a container at least 30cm wide and deep, with drainage holes, and plant one crown per container. Larger containers are preferable for long-term growing, giving the extensive roots more space to develop. Container-grown plants need more regular watering and feeding and generally produce smaller harvests over a shorter lifespan.

Watering & Feeding

Water regularly during the first summer, particularly in dry weather. Once established, asparagus is fairly drought tolerant but will benefit from watering during prolonged dry spells.

Apply well-rotted garden compost or manure as a mulch in late winter to help maintain soil fertility. If plants need an additional boost, use a balanced fertiliser in spring, following the manufacturer's instructions.

Keeping the Bed Weed Free

Keep the bed free from weeds, especially while the crowns are establishing. Remove weeds carefully by hand rather than hoeing close to the plants, as asparagus roots can be damaged.

Summer Fern Growth

Allow the spears to develop into tall, feathery foliage during summer. These fern-like stems help the plant build up energy reserves for the following spring. In exposed gardens, use stakes and twine to support the foliage if necessary.

Autumn & Winter Care

Leave the foliage while it remains green. Once it has naturally turned yellow or brown in autumn, cut the stems down to ground level and remove the old growth from the bed.

Pests & Problems

Watch for asparagus beetles, which feed on stems and foliage, and slugs or snails that may damage emerging spears. Late spring frosts can also affect young shoots. Avoid waterlogged soil, as this increases the risk of crown and root rot.

When to Harvest Asparagus

'Gijnlim' is an early-season variety that can produce spears from April onwards, depending on spring temperatures and growing conditions. Newly planted crowns need time to establish before harvesting, even when supplied as two-year-old crowns.

How to Harvest Asparagus Spears

Pick young green spears when they're approximately 15–18cm tall and the tips are still tightly closed. Use a sharp knife to cut carefully at or just below soil level, taking care not to damage nearby shoots or the crown.

How Long Can You Keep Harvesting?

Allow the crowns to establish without harvesting during their first two growing seasons in your garden. In the third spring, healthy, established plants can be harvested for up to six weeks. In subsequent years, a strong, productive bed can be harvested for up to eight weeks. If the spears become noticeably thinner or growth is weak, stop harvesting earlier.

When to Stop Harvesting

Finish harvesting by late June, traditionally around the longest day, even if the full picking period has not been reached. Leave the remaining spears to develop into feathery foliage, allowing the plants to replenish their energy reserves for the following spring.

Growing White Asparagus

'Gijnlim' can be grown for both green and white asparagus. White asparagus is produced by keeping the developing spears completely out of daylight, preventing them from turning green. The resulting spears have a generally milder flavour than green asparagus.

Preparing the Bed for White Asparagus

Once your asparagus bed is well established and ready for harvesting, mound loose, fine soil over the crown row in early spring before new shoots emerge. Traditional white asparagus growing uses ridges around 20–30cm high, giving the developing spears room to grow beneath the surface without exposure to light. These are temporary harvesting ridges, not the planting depth for new crowns.

Keeping the Spears White

Keep the developing spears completely covered with soil. Check the ridges regularly for cracks or slight lifting, which can indicate that spears are approaching the surface. An opaque covering over the ridges can help exclude light, but take care to prevent overheating.

Harvesting White Asparagus

Carefully uncover the developing spear and cut it beneath the ridge surface before its tip emerges into daylight. Avoid damaging the crown or neighbouring shoots, then replace the soil over the row. White asparagus needs more careful harvesting than green asparagus because the spears are largely hidden beneath the soil.

After Harvesting White Asparagus

Stop harvesting by late June at the latest, or earlier if the plants are showing signs of reduced vigour. Carefully level the temporary soil ridges without disturbing the crowns, then allow the remaining shoots to develop into tall, fern-like foliage. This helps the plants replenish their energy reserves for the following year.

Top Tip

Asparagus can grow surprisingly quickly during warm spring weather. Check established beds regularly and harvest green spears while their tips are tightly closed. White asparagus is traditionally peeled before cooking, particularly towards the base where the outer skin can be tougher.

Flavour & Texture

'Gijnlim' produces green asparagus spears with a pleasant, characteristic asparagus flavour and tender texture when harvested young. The purple-tinted tips add colour to freshly picked spears.

Nutritional Benefits

Asparagus provides folate and dietary fibre, along with vitamins including vitamin K. It's a nutritious addition to spring meals.

Preparing Your Asparagus

Rinse the spears under cold water and trim away any tough or woody ends. Thicker spears can be lightly peeled towards the base if necessary, although tender young spears generally don't need peeling.

Cooking Ideas

Steam or lightly boil the spears until just tender, then serve with butter, lemon or hollandaise sauce. They're also excellent roasted or grilled with a little olive oil and black pepper.

Try adding chopped asparagus to risottos, pasta dishes, omelettes and savoury tarts, or serve the spears alongside poached eggs for a simple spring lunch.

Storing Your Harvest

Asparagus is at its best soon after picking. If you can't use it straight away, refrigerate the spears with their cut ends wrapped in damp kitchen paper, or stand them upright in a little water. Use within a few days for the best flavour and texture.

Freezing Asparagus

To freeze asparagus, wash and trim the spears, blanch briefly in boiling water, then cool quickly in iced water. Drain thoroughly before freezing in suitable containers or freezer bags. Frozen asparagus is best used in cooked dishes, as the texture softens after thawing.

What Will I Receive?

Your asparagus is supplied as two-year-old, dormant bare-root crowns, each with a central growing point and a network of fleshy roots. They won't look like leafy asparagus plants when they arrive, which is completely normal.

Why Choose an All-Male Asparagus Variety?

Asparagus plants can be male or female. Female plants produce berries and seeds, while male plants generally put more energy into growing spears. All-male varieties such as 'Gijnlim' are bred for productive cropping, with fewer unwanted seedlings appearing in your asparagus bed.

Allowing Your Asparagus Bed to Establish

Although your crowns are already two years old when supplied, they still need time to establish in their new growing position. For the strongest long-term results, allow the spears to grow into tall, fern-like foliage without harvesting during the first two growing seasons after planting. This helps the crowns develop strong roots and build up energy reserves for future crops.

Can I Harvest in the Second Year?

For the best long-term establishment, we recommend leaving the spears unharvested during the second growing season in your garden. Some established, vigorous crowns can tolerate a very light harvest at this stage, but allowing the foliage to develop fully gives the plants more time to build strength before regular cropping begins.

When Can I Start Harvesting?

Although your crowns are supplied at two years old, their establishment time begins when you plant them in your garden. Following the recommended approach, leave them unharvested for their first two growing seasons. In the third spring, healthy plants can be harvested for up to six weeks, increasing to eight weeks in subsequent years once the bed is fully established.

Unpacking Your Crowns

Open the packaging promptly after delivery and check the crowns. Keep the roots protected from drying out and handle them gently to avoid breaking the fleshy roots.

Preparing Your Crowns Before Planting

Plant as soon as possible after delivery. If the roots feel dry, soak them briefly in water before planting to help rehydrate them. Avoid leaving the crowns submerged for prolonged periods.

If You Can't Plant Straight Away

Keep the crowns somewhere cool, sheltered and frost-free, with the roots lightly moist but not waterlogged. If planting will be delayed for more than a few days, temporarily heel them into moist compost or soil until the permanent bed is ready.