Are you really sure you want to do all that work for 20 year old crowns? Especially when the survival rate will likely be less than 50%?

They are going to be so big and so rootbound that to give 1 crown even 1/2 a chance at survival it will need to be dug up with at least a 12" diameter rootball and 18"-24" would be better. In the process of getting 1 it will likely kill the surrounding ones.

Add to that that they aren't even dormant yet and it is still too warm so that may well cut survival rates even more. I have some 12 and 15 yr. old plants with crowns alone (not including roots) that are easily 12" in diameter and production is already beginning to decline on them.

Dave

Yes, one crown is 5 gallons easily, plus any dirt. It is a huge amount of work for very little. It is like transplanting a 2-yrs old apple tree. You can buy 1-yr old crowns for $0.12 each...

I agree. What seems to be a prize is really a libility. You will spend a lot of effort on something of little value. Asparagus roots are not like a fine wine that gets better with age. I'd pass on this opportunity if it were me.