- Choose a sunny spot in well‑drained, fertile soil.
- Remove all weeds and dig in plenty of well‑rotted manure.
- Space plants about 130cm apart.
- Dig a hole and place the crown so the growing point is just below soil level.
- Firm in the soil around the crown, water thoroughly, and apply a light mulch in spring (around March).
- Don’t harvest in the first year, allow the plant to establish before picking stalks.
- For an early forced crop, cover established crowns with a forcing pot or large upturned container in late winter.
- Keep the crown covered to exclude light, which encourages tender, pale stems.
- Harvest forced stems once they are around 20-30cm long, pulling them gently from the base.
- Alternatively, leave plants unforced and harvest from spring to early summer.
