Asparagus Plant 'Connover's Colossal'

A tried and trusted heritage variety from the 1800's that has won acclaim for adaptability, reliability, yield and flavour; even now many commercial growers grow this variety almost exclusively.

This extract from a garden journal (sadly unknown) says it all...

"In 1872 I sowed seed of this variety, and last year I planted 5 beds with the 1 year old plants. At the time of sowing I must say that I felt rather dubious as to the dimensions of this Asparagus as mentioned in seed catalogues and advertisements. I have now pleasure in saying that in point of size it is a colossal variety".

Acclaim continues to this day and only recently it was recommended in the River Cottage Vegetable Patch Handbook.

Quick into growth and early maturing, it produces thick chunky spears of sublime flavour. This variety is truly hard to fault

Recommended by the RHS to be an excellent attractant and nectar source for bees and other beneficial insects.

• Plant out anytime of the year, weather permitting.
• Plant out 9" (23 cm) or further apart in rows 18" (45 cm) apart.
• Keep plants well watered in dry spells.
• Do not cut (harvest) in the first year and do not be too greedy in the second year either.
• Always harvest by cutting through stems with a sharp knife just below soil level, avoiding stems just emerging.
• Cut down the dead 'fern' each Autumn and then mulch the bed with a thin layer of well rotted manure or similar.