Asparagus Backlim: The Top Late-Season Variety for Home Growers

Asparagus officinalis

Asparagus Backlim is a premium, all-male variety renowned for its large, high-quality spears and excellent flavour. This mid- to late-season cultivar is ideal for green and white asparagus production, making it a fantastic choice for home gardeners and commercial growers. Notably, ‘Backlim’ has earned the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, reflecting its exceptional performance and reliability in gardens. If you’re seeking a reliable, high-yielding asparagus plant that will provide delicious harvests year after year, ‘Backlim’ is an excellent choice.

Asparagus Backlim (Asparagus officinalis) is a late-season, all-male hybrid variety that produces thick, straight spears with a tender texture and superb taste. It thrives in well-drained soil and is resistant to hollowness, making it a popular choice for those who want a dependable crop. This variety is perfect for green and white asparagus production, offering versatility for different culinary uses.

• High Yield: Produces a significant number of spears each season.
• Late-Season Variety: Complements early-season varieties like Gijnlim for extended harvesting.
• Versatile: Suitable for growing both green and white spears.
• Resistant to Hollowness: Ensures consistent quality.
• Compact Foliage: Requires less space while still offering abundant growth.

1. Preparing the Soil

Backlim asparagus thrives in well-drained soil with good drainage to prevent root rot. Before planting, dig long trenches about 30cm deep and 45cm apart. Fill the bottom with 7cm of well-rotted manure to enrich the soil and improve drainage.

2. Planting Asparagus Crowns

Crowns should be planted in early spring or autumn. Spread the roots evenly along the trench, ensuring the crowns are visible above the soil. Fill the trench gradually as the plants grow, keeping the spears exposed to encourage strong development.

3. Spacing and Depth

• Plant crowns 20cm apart within each trench.
• Cover with 7cm of soil, gradually adding more as the plants grow.
• Ensure the crowns remain at ground level to avoid rotting.

Watering and Feeding

Asparagus requires consistent moisture, particularly during the growing season. Water deeply once a week, ensuring the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. In spring, apply a dressing of general-purpose fertiliser to support vigorous growth.

Weeding and Mulching

Weeds compete for nutrients and moisture, so remove them regularly. Apply mulch around the plants to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and regulate soil temperature.

Protecting Your Crop

• Use netting to protect young spears from pests.
• Compact foliage helps reduce disease risks, but ensure good air circulation.
• Monitor for pink discolouration on spears, which may indicate fungal disease.

When to Harvest

Backlim asparagus begins producing spears in the second year after planting. To allow plants to establish strong roots, avoid harvesting in the first year. By the second year, spears can be cut when they are about 20-28mm thick.

How to Harvest

Use a sharp knife or asparagus cutter to harvest spears at ground level. Harvest regularly to encourage continuous production.

If you prefer white asparagus, blanch the spears by covering them with soil or a mound to block sunlight. This prevents chlorophyll development, resulting in pale, tender spears.

Backlim is one of those varieties that quietly gets on with the job and delivers the goods. I’ve seen it grown successfully by fellow allotmenteers, and the spears are consistently thick, straight, and full of flavour — perfect for roasting or steaming with just a touch of butter and lemon. Its reputation for reliability is well earned, especially if your plot’s on the cooler side or your soil stays damp longer in spring. What I like most about Backlim is its versatility — whether you’re growing green or white asparagus, it holds its own. While I’m not currently growing it myself, I’d happily recommend it if you’re after a no-nonsense, late-season crop that’ll keep producing year after year with a bit of care and patience.

• Choose a well-drained site with rich, organic soil
• Plant crowns in early spring in trenches filled with compost or manure
• Water regularly and feed plants with a balanced fertiliser
• Harvest from the second year onwards for best results
• Grow green or white asparagus by adjusting light exposure

Asparagus ‘Backlim’ is a superb late-season variety, prized for its vigorous growth, high yields, and exceptional flavour. Its disease resistance and ability to thrive in cooler conditions make it a reliable choice for gardeners and growers seeking dependable performance year after year. With a bit of patience during establishment and careful maintenance thereafter, ‘Backlim’ will reward you with a bountiful harvest of tender, delicious spears each spring. Whether you’re growing for the kitchen or market, this variety offers a productive and satisfying addition to any asparagus bed.

To see the RHS article, please click here.

For more information on Fruit for your garden, please click here.

Want to learn about other Asparagus varieties? Read about Asparagus Xenolim here.

Q: What is Asparagus Backlim?

A: Asparagus Backlim (Asparagus officinalis) is an all-male variety prized for producing straight spears with excellent flavour and a high yield. Known for its vigorous growth and resistance to hollowness, Backlim asparagus is favoured by both home gardeners and commercial growers. This variety can be grown for green or white spears, offering versatility in the kitchen. It has compact foliage, the quality of which only improves as the plant ages. Asparagus Backlim is a dependable choice for those seeking a long-lasting perennial crop with exceptional spear production and a refined flavour profile.

Q: How do I plant Asparagus Backlim crowns?

A: Crowns are best planted in early spring, as soon as the soil is workable. Remove all weeds and dig long trenches about 20cm deep by 30cm wide. Fill the bottom of the trench with 7cm of well-rotted manure or garden compost to improve drainage and enrich the soil. Create a mound along the base of the trench, spread the roots evenly, and set the crowns on top so that they are just visible. Maintain a distance of 45cm between each crown and backfill with soil and firm gently. This ensures perfect conditions for planting and supports long-term health.

Q: Can Asparagus Backlim be grown in heavy soil?

A: If your soil is heavy, it’s essential to improve drainage before planting asparagus Backlim. Raised beds can be an excellent solution, as they prevent waterlogging around the crowns. Incorporating well-rotted manure or garden compost will improve both soil structure and fertility. Good drainage is essential for avoiding crown rot and ensuring strong spear development. If drainage remains a concern, choose a sunny, sheltered location and slightly mound the planting rows. This keeps crowns in optimal conditions and supports vigorous spear growth for many subsequent years.

Q: How do I care for Asparagus Backlim after planting?

A: During the first year, focus on establishing the crowns rather than harvesting. Keep the area weed-free and feed in spring with a dressing of general-purpose fertiliser to encourage its vigorous growth. In the second year, you can begin light harvesting once spears start to appear, but avoid over-picking until the crowns are fully mature. Each autumn, allow the compact foliage to die back naturally before cutting it down. Mulching with manure or compost in winter helps maintain soil fertility, moisture, and good drainage for healthy crops in subsequent years.

Q: When and how should I harvest Asparagus Backlim?

A: Spears start to appear from mid- to late spring, with the main harvesting period extending for around eight weeks. In the second year after planting, harvest lightly to allow the crowns to strengthen. By the third year, you can enjoy a full harvest, cutting spears when they reach 20cm in length. To grow white spears, exclude light by covering emerging growth with soil or a forcing pot. Whether harvesting green or white asparagus, stop cutting in early summer to let the plant recharge for the following spring.

Q: Can Asparagus Backlim be used to grow white and green asparagus?

A: Yes, asparagus Backlim is ideal for producing both green and white spears. For green or white asparagus, the growing method differs slightly. Green spears are simply allowed to grow in full sun, while white asparagus is created by excluding light—either by mounding soil over the spears or using a special cover. This process prevents chlorophyll from developing, resulting in tender white spears with a delicate flavour. Both options deliver excellent culinary results and make Backlim F1 a versatile choice for the kitchen garden.

Q: Where can I buy Asparagus Backlim asparagus?

A: You can buy asparagus Backlim asparagus crowns from a range of reputable suppliers. They are widely available at garden centres, specialist nurseries, and through trusted online retailers. Many suppliers offer high-quality asparagus crowns for sale in early spring, allowing them to be planted without delay for the best establishment. Whether you prefer to shop locally or online, ensure that all its plants are healthy, well-formed, and ready for planting to achieve the best possible crop in subsequent years.