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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.
How do you get rid of weeds in asparagus?
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 use Roundup on asparagus?
Glyphosate is systemic and works best at controlling perennial weeds. It can be broadcast over the entire planting area in early spring before new asparagus grown emerges or after the last harvest. Snap all spears 1/2 inch below the soil line, so no spears are above ground, then overspray the planting area.
How do you keep weeds from eating asparagus?
How to Get Weeds Out of an Asparagus Patch Spread a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch, such as shredded bark, over the bed immediately after planting in spring to help suppress weed growth. Inspect the bed at least once a week throughout the growing season for weed seedlings.
What chemicals can you spray on asparagus?
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.
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.
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.
What is 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.
What kills asparagus fern?
Herbicide applications are recommended for medium-to-large infestations, but can also be used for small infestations. Suitable methods are cut and paint, basal bark spray and foliar spot spray.
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.
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.
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 can I put on my asparagus bed?
And here’s how to simplify weed control in your asparagus bed: Use a loose mulch. 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.
How do you rejuvenate an old asparagus bed?
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.
How many times can you pick asparagus?
Early in the season, you might harvest 7- to 9-inch spears every two to four days. As air temperatures increase, harvesting frequencies will increase to once or twice per day. You can have up to 24 harvests per season, after which you can allow crowns to fern and grow out.
Is treflan the same as Preen?
Some time ago a product for gardeners called Preen entered the marketplace. It was called a “pre-emergent herbicide” and was touted as stopping weeds in the garden before they came up. Treflan is the active ingredient in Preen.
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.
