Asparagus spacing in polycultures

Ok, so all the instructions I can find for planting asparagus are for row planting. If I want to plant with dwarf fruit trees or raspberries, how would you recommend determining spacing? Thanks!

Louise Berns wrote:Ok, so all the instructions I can find for planting asparagus are for row planting. If I want to plant with dwarf fruit trees or raspberries, how would you recommend determining spacing? Thanks!

I've heard of people interplanting strawberries with asparagus and, as far as the images seem to show, the asparagus follows the usual spacing (12-18") with the vigorous strawberries taking up space between them.

An asparagus-raspberry polyculture is interesting as I'd imagine the raspberries would dominate and eventually suffocate the asparagus, both in terms of light and nutrients. I would imagine you would have to cut back the raspberries entirely each year - or keep them quite far from the asparagus crowns which, in my part of the world at least, are quite slow to begin growing after the winter.

Growing asparagus with fruit trees is also an interesting idea. Once established, asparagus can grow quite tall and should be left, unharvested, from the summer solstice until the autumn when it can be cut back (and the dry stalks used as much). If the dwarf fruit trees are on very small rootstocks, the asparagus may actually grow into the canopy of the trees and cause some annoyance. The stalks could also make harvesting early fruiting varieties a little problematic if they are too close! I would err on the side of quite large spacings between the trees and the asparagus.

Can I ask what has inspired you to think of these two plant combinations?

Asparagus really, *really* hates competition. So while there are photos out there on the ‘net showing lovely intermixed strawberry—asparagus or other similar beds…. the reality is that those beds rarely do well long term.  

i’m not sure how asparagus would do if planted at the feet of orchard trees. I suspect it would be stunted at least to some degree. I say this because asparagus loves sunshine… it does best in full sun, and in an orchard there’s going to be a lot of shadows and shade. I can’t imagine the asparagus being happy there. 🤷‍♀️

Honestly, the best thing to ”plant” around your asparagus bed—>lots of compost and/or mulch.

I have had fairly good luck using shredded (non-glossy) paper mixed with chunky compost. {note: avoid spreading *only* shredded paper (even thin newsprint-type paper) as a mulch. It will mat down when it gets wet, and make essentially a paper-mache shell, that sheds water…. although it does keep the weeds away 😜🙃. In my experience, mixing the shredded paper in with compost or other mulch— no more than 25-30% paper— adds volume to the mulch/compost, thus letting you spread it over a larger area, or in a thicker layer.}

Keep looking for creative companion planting combos. It is an awesome way to garden. But there are a few things that just won’t tolerate any competition— asparagus is one of those plants.

Good luck, and bounteous gardening!🥦🥬🌽🍆🫑
April

I grow both asparagus and raspberries and agree with Luke and April that asparagus would not do well planted with raspberries or under fruit trees.

The asparagus would not enjoy being disturbed when grown under fruit trees and the soil would not be deep enough for the crowns to thrive.

The only companion I would recommend would be stropharia rugosoannulata/wine caps that thrive in the wood chips that I mulch my asparagus with to keep down weeds.

The spacing would be the same whether in rows or in a circle.

The spacing recommendations take in how wide the plant will be when fully established.

Spacing also helps accommodate root systems' growth.

With proper spacing, there is less water competition, less stress, and less pest and disease problems.

I'm still in the early stages of my asparagus journey.    I built a raised bed for mine. I planted petunias and carrots. The first year. The petunias are supposed to deter asparagus beetle.  I also planted a tomato, and basil last summer and everything did well. ( Except the tomato. It was a strange year and all of my tomatoes waited until late summer to fruit). This year I got to eat some asparagus so amazing.  This year I will probably put a eggplant in with the asparagus, and maybe parsley.  Basically I read night shade, aster family and parsley and basil make great companions for asparagus. Since everything is growing and producing well I will probably stick with different combinations.
If you look it up on the internet there are lots of post of people planting asparagus in fruit orchards and with raspberries.  I don't know. I would think it would depend on what kind of trees, or raspberry you plant how much sun, lots of variables.  Maybe if you can afford it, give it a try. Maybe try in a few different locations, so if one doesn't work out, you will still have asparagus in a different location. Then you can come back and tell us how it worked out.  Good luck to you.