Asparagus Growing Question

[Becca]

I'm planting a bed of asparagus today and so far the majority of the instructions I have found for planting say to only cover the crowns in the trench with about 2 or so inches of soil until you see the tops appear and then to cover with another 2 inches and to continue this method until the trench is filled in. I'm not sure I understand why this is done? Why not just fill the trench back in at the time of planting? Does anyone have any experience with this?

[Ray]

The roots have to be REALLY deep, but if you simply buried them that deeply, the soil on top would compress the soil below, and they wouldn't have enough energy to grow all the way up.

[Becca]

So is it just an issue with them getting established the first year they are planted then? Because the next year, they will have the full 6 inches or so of soil they will have to break through?