Table of Contents
In order to kill weeds in asparagus beds, apply salt or a weed killer in spring or fall, when asparagus is dormant. To prevent new weeds from sprouting, use a pre-emergent herbicide, such as Preen or Corn Gluten Meal in spring. Top the soil in your asparagus bed with 3–4 inches of mulch to keep weeds out.
How do you remove grass from asparagus patches?
Snap all spears 1/2 inch below the soil line, so no spears are above ground, then overspray the planting area. Paraquat is a contact, non-systemic herbicide that kills the growing shoots of weeds. It works best for controlling newly emerging annual weeds in early spring before your asparagus has started to grow.
Can Preen be used on asparagus?
There is a product called Preen (trifluralin) that is registered for use around established asparagus plants. Preen is a pre-emergent herbicide, which means that it keeps weed seeds from germinating. You may find it helpful to mulch your asparagus bed with clean oat straw after applying the herbicide.
Why do you put salt on asparagus?
Because asparagus is salt resistant, gardeners have used salt to kill weeds around asparagus plants. Salt does kill weeds and other plants by pulling water out of the plant. It is also drawn into the plant when the soil is wet. Once inside the plant, it prevents the plant from moving water to other parts of the plant.
What do you spray weeds in for asparagus?
Paraquat (Gramoxone Inteon) is a contact herbicide that is effective against both grasses and broadleaf weeds and must be applied before asparagus spears emerge. It is most effective when applied as a broadcast application to weeds that are in the two- to four-leaf stage.
Can you put Epsom salt on asparagus?
Asparagus, Cabbage, cauliflower, kale, onions, radishes, Turnips and many flowering plants need a lot of sulfur to thrive. Epsom salts are highly water-soluble, when diluted with water, and applied as a foliar spray it can be absorbed rapidly by plants.
How do you revive an asparagus patch?
Steps to revive a neglected asparagus bed Wait for a good rain to soften the soil, or water the bed well. Using a large sharp knife to cut out thick weed stems below the soil surface. Hand pull small weeds around the asparagus plants. Rake the soil surface smooth. Watch for the new weeds to appear.
What is the best mulch for asparagus?
Straw, pine needles, pine shavings or bark mulch work well as mulch choices. Avoid using dyed mulches (black or red). Avoid using synthetic mulches like black plastic or landscape fabric.
When should I burn my asparagus?
As soon as the field is passable in early spring, mow or chop the old asparagus ferns with a brush hog mower or flail chopper if not chopped in the previous fall. Alternatively, they can be burned down with a controlled burn. Burning helps eliminate asparagus beetles that have overwintered in the old ferns.
Are coffee grounds good for asparagus?
Asparagus prefers a soil pH between 6.5 and 7, which is mildly acidic. Coffee grounds can run 5 or less on the pH scale by themselves. The grounds also add some nitrogen, which is a regular nutrition need of asparagus.
What is best fertilizer for asparagus?
Asparagus can be fertilized in early spring before the spears emerge. An application of 1 to 1.5 pounds of an all-purpose garden fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, per 100 square feet should be adequate. Asparagus can also be fertilized after the last harvest in June. Using a nitrogen fertilizer, apply .
Should you let asparagus go to seed?
Ferning out in asparagus is actually a good thing, as it indicates that photosynthesis is being promoted, therefore, nutrition production and absorption increases. As the asparagus ferns out, female spears produce green berries that eventually turn red. These berries/seeds, however, are unlikely to produce new plants.
What kind of salt do you put on asparagus patch?
“For healthy asparagus, add sodium chloride rock salt (NaCl) to beds more than one year old. Apply 2.5 lb. per 100′ row either before spears appear or around July 4. Research shows this treatment helps asparagus resist crown and root rot diseases caused by Fusarium fungi and also improves overall growth.
Can you use Roundup on asparagus beds?
Products containing the pre-emergent herbicide trifluralin can be applied in early spring before the asparagus spears begin to emerge. Do not allow Roundup to get on asparagus spears or ferns, as serious plant injury may occur.
Does asparagus need mulch?
Asparagus plants benefit from regular mulches of loose organic matter. Organic mulches warm the soil in the bed, encouraging growth, and they supply plant nutrients, suppress weeds, conserve soil moisture and help protect asparagus spears from becoming contaminated with dirt.
Can you spray asparagus with 2 4d?
Asparagus growers have several choices of herbicides for control of emerged weeds. The synthetic auxin herbicides 2,4-D (Formula 40, Embed Extra) and dicamba (Clarity) are effective against many broadleaf annuals and perennials. They also can injure asparagus plants if there is too much contact with spears or fern.
What can I put on my asparagus bed?
Keep your asparagus patch performing well by top-dressing every spring with 2 to 3 inches of composted manure, followed by a 2-inch layer of loose organic mulch. Shredded arborist’s woodchips, straw and finished compost are all good choices.
