I imagine their roots spread outward pretty far because they're such big plants. But I don't know ? Here's a picture halfway down this page
http://www.humanflowerproject....

We first planted 7 along the fence way in the back of the yard. Then someone here on ATP told me that we should have 10-20 plants per person in the family. So last year we added, I think, another 7 plants for a total of 14. This was our first year to harvest a few, But I read that the plants often produce for 20 - 30 years.

I sure love fresh asparagus. I can do without the canned type though. Too mushy for me.

Karen

I started with one plant many moons ago and this year come September I have quite some wonderful plants to harvest. It is my favourite vegetable after radishes.

Glen, I am glad to see that you enjoy this plant down there.
(Edited to add: That is an intersting bloom in your avatar picture. Can you tell us what it is?)
Thanks

Leon, I forgot to say I enjoyed your article too.

It is a Coastal Banksia (Banksia integrifolia). It is quite common on the island and grows to a good size in the bush. Some here are about 70' but, in wind blown areas of the islands, they are prostrate!

The trees are in blossom at the moment and the lorikeets and honeyeaters go wild over the inflorescences. They are important food source for birds and bees because of the autumnal flowering, when little else is flowering.

We love our asparagus patch! We've had it 22 years and even moved many from a former home.

I started with Jersey Knight roots. This is a mostly male variety. Since I only have a few that produce seeds, I assume those are the females. Some new plants have come up between the rows, probably from those seeds which start out green and become orange when mature. My patch is fertilized with grass clippings which help with moisture retention and break down to feed the plants. Watering is via those black, weepy hoses which I leave in place all year. The clippings help protect them from the sunlight.

I just picked up a package of Mary Washington asparagus to put in the bed . I don't know if any more are going to appear but it would appear that not all I transplanted made it. So just to hedge my bets....

We (both my grandparents and my dad) had asparagus patches in Ft Wayne Indiana. Our was right next to the Rhubarb patch. To this day, my neighbors say they still continue to grow nearly 40 years after we left the state. Keep trying and you shall be rewarded.

Wes said:My attempts to grow asparagus didn't go so well the first time around but I should consider trying again. I will have to try them as you cook them, sounds tasty. I just fry fresh spears in butter and wish they were morels. They're close, far better than the canned stuff from the supermarket.

But I buy and eat those too.