Thank your for your advice Dave.

Lola

it is much too early to plant asparagus in zone 5--they do get knocked back by a good frost. And you will have frost for over two months.

What about the package of Mary Washington I bought from Big Box store? when can I get them in the raised bed? I bought one plant from a local guy last spring and planted it in that raised bed....

thanks yall

lola, I generally think that can be a good place for asparagus. In my zone 6 mountain climate, we have erratic weather. The springs can be quite lovely, the asparagus start growing and then they get zapped by a sudden frost. Generally, my rule is that I harvest just about anything that comes up prior to May 15th (my average last frost). A bed that warms a bit slower could be an asset. If the soil was not workable, I might be tempted to "plant" the roots together in a 5 gallon bucket and then tease them out when the soil is workable. On the other hand, I have bought asparagus roots at Wal-Mart that are not stored "optimally" at all that have rooted just fine as well.

ANYONE?????

SHOULD I GO AHEAD AND PUT THEM IN ..LIKE I ASKED above.. thanks yall

I repeat my previous advice. It is MUCH too early to plant asparagus in zone 5. They get knocked back by a good frost, and you will have frost and freezes for some weeks yet.

Im in KY supp to be zone 6 that what I read years ago. I know the last freeze date is around Derby Day. otherwise should I put them in a bucket of something or other?. Or just leave them in the platic bag they came in? supp to be 8 in there.

thanks

I don't know when Derby day is, but it's too early here by at least a month in zone 6A

tishtoshnm, your spring weather sound allot like my spring weather! Thank you for your suggestions.

I went ahead and removed my asparagus roots from their plastic bags and covered them with potting soil in big cardboard boxes. My root cellar is keeping them cool and dark slowing down their sprouting caused by sitting on a shelf inside in a warm store until I brought them home. So far they look good.

I also have potatoes stored in my root cellar since last fall. Potato eyes are starting to swell and bud. They are also waiting for warmer soil temperatures so they can be planted.

My full sun all year, potato garden area has soil temperatures ranging from 43-47 degrees.

My future asparagus bed's soil temperatures are still in the 30's. It is located in full shade during the dark winter months but has full sun late spring through late fall.

I hope my asparagus roots wait for warmer soil temperatures like my potatoes. Sitting in my cool dark root cellar has got to be a better storage option than sitting on a warm store shelf. The potting soil covering them will keep the roots moist and I can regularly keep an eye on the roots. I'm glad I removed them from the plastic bags they were shipped in.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions and advice.

Lola

jeanwedding, you might store your asparagus roots in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator until you can plant them in 50 degree soil.

Lola

I always grew asparagus from seeds. But in this situation if the roots are dormant and the soil is workable I would plant them in the bed. Asparagus roots are winter hardy and putting the roots in the soil is the best way to keep them. If there will be freeze the soil protect the roots. In the cold soil and in shade the tops will not start to grow until there will be warm enough for them. If there will be freeze or frost in May you will have the option to collect your tops or to protect them from the freeze. In any case the roots still be fine.

Ky Derby, first Saturday in May.....yeah rain finally stoppped this afternoon hope to get asp planted soon and can cover with straw.....

thank yall

Originally asparagus grew in swamps or wet places, so maintaining consistent soil moisture is very important for good production.

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