Table of Contents
Grow Weeding and removing female plants. Keep the asparagus bed weed- free, as asparagus plants grow better without competition from weeds. Mulching. Mulch the bed in late winter to discourage weeds and hold moisture in the soil. Feeding. Supporting. Cutting back. Propagating.
When should I clean my asparagus bed?
In order to get the most out of your plantings of asparagus and strawberries, the foliage needs to be trimmed, weeds removed, and a top-dressing of compost applied. This is best done in late winter-early spring before the new shoots of asparagus start to show and the strawberry plants start to leaf out.
How long does an asparagus bed last?
The patience is well worth it, though, as asparagus beds can be productive for 15, 20, sometimes up to 30 years. Because asparagus stays productive for so long, it’s important to plant the best variety available for your area.
How do I improve my asparagus bed?
During the asparagus growing season, gradually refill in the trench, but avoid covering the asparagus shoots as they grow. Afterwards, by pulling soil from the path area, the beds can be raised several inches higher for improved drainage and winter protection. Garden rows should be 4 to 5 feet apart.
Should you trim back asparagus?
Answer: The asparagus foliage can be cut back to the ground after it has been destroyed by cold temperatures in fall. However, it is generally recommended that the dead foliage be allowed to stand over winter. The dead debris will catch and hold snow.
What is the best fertilizer for asparagus?
The best fertilizer for asparagus will feature a balanced formula that contains equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, such as a 10-10-10 or 15-15-15 blend. Beginning in the fourth year, apply fertilizer after the final harvest in late spring or early summer, instead of a spring application.
What happens if you don’t cut asparagus?
Picking the pieces slowly stresses the plant, so when it’s left alone for the rest of the year, it’s able to regain strength and grow new roots. This in turn helps have more production in the coming years. Once the asparagus is left alone, it grows into a large shrub-like fern.
Should I let my 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.
How do you mulch asparagus?
After the fronds turn brown, remove them by cutting them off at the base. You then have the choice of leaving the bed bare for the winter and hoping for good snow cover to protect the crowns, or mulching the bed with 4″ – 6″ of straw, shavings, or sawdust.
Is sawdust good for asparagus?
Good mulching materials include sawdust, wood chips, shavings and ground corncobs. These materials shut out weed growth, but still permit asparagus to come up. Caution: if applied too early, it may tend to keep the soil cool. This would delay your harvest of asparagus, but that doesn’t hurt it.
How do you winterize an asparagus bed?
How to Winterize Asparagus Plants Cut back the stalks and foliage to ground level in fall, after the leaves begin to yellow and die back naturally. Stop watering the asparagus after you cut back the stems. Spread 2 inches of mulch over the bed after you cut back the old stalks.
Why are my asparagus so skinny?
Thin asparagus spears appear for a number of reasons, but the root cause is ultimately the same: the asparagus crown lacks the rigor to create bigger shoots. Improper Feeding – Asparagus are somewhat heavy feeders and need all the food they can get in order to build strong spears the following year.
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.
How do you control weeds in asparagus bed?
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.
Can you plant asparagus too deep?
Cultivating too deep, or at the wrong time in the season, can damage the crowns and emerging spears. There are two times when asparagus beds can be cultivated: Before the spears come up in the spring, and after all of the spears are harvested but before ferns come up in late June.
How do you manage asparagus plants?
Prepare the soil Prepare the soil. Work the soil a foot or more deep; growing asparagus in raised beds is a useful way to achieve the proper depth. Fertilize as recommended. Fertilize asparagus in the spring during the first three years of growth. Water regularly. Water deeply, as needed. Maintain weeds.
Does asparagus multiply?
When asparagus plants are growing in a sunny site with good drainage, proper irrigation, and adequate nutrients, the plants multiply and become crowded over time. The ability of asparagus plants to multiply means that sharing the bounty is part of the fun of growing this perennial vegetable.
How do you trim asparagus stalks?
How to Trim Asparagus Here’s a step by step breakdown of what to do: Pick up one stalk and hold it in the middle and at the end. Bend the stalk until it snaps. Line up the tip of that stalk with the tips of the remaining stalks. Slice off the ends of the remaining stalks so they’re flush with the snapped stalk.
