Asparagus

[pumkinlover]

I'm a bit confused about cropping mt asparagus.
For years I understood that you cut all the stems during the cropping period then leave them all to grow into ferns to  feed the crown.  Vince our Italian guru told me to leave one stem on each plant when you cut the rest, then Bob Flowerdew said something similar on GQT.

Having had a bit of a search on the internet it seems my original method is still recommended.
So what are your thoughts on the matter? Do you cut everything or leave some spears to turn to fern?
Also my crop is very late this year so if yours is the same will you crop a bit later than usual?

[pumkinlover]

[Ninnyscrops.]

I cut all my spears now, usually you leave some in their early days, year 2 crowns so as not to deplete the strength of the plants for future years.

I think, that if you leave spears to grow on with established crowns, the plant won't send up as many new ones.

Correct me if I've got it wrong folks.

Ninny

[macmac]

I really don't get it so I cut some and leave some ??? ::)
Made a macaroni/cauliflower/sweetcorn/pea/onion cheese  and served with fresh picked steamed  asparagus. yum yum yum  :)

[Jayb]

I cut all my spears now, usually you leave some in their early days, year 2 crowns so as not to deplete the strength of the plants for future years.

I think, that if you leave spears to grow on with established crowns, the plant won't send up as many new ones.

Correct me if I've got it wrong folks.

Ninny

I thought you had to cut them all too, well that's what I do?

[goodlife]

I have done bit of both ways.
When I had my 'old' asparagus bed that is no more...at first at the begining of the cropping season, I used to cut all spears down..but as the season progressed and was coming to an end..I used to leave odd thinner spear to develop to ferns and kept cutting the 'fat' ones for eating and around end of June I used to stop cutting and all that appeared was left to grow. Nobody didn't advise me to do this way..it just sort of 'felt right'..those thin spears weren't worth of eating anyway so leaving them to grow didn't seem to make any difference to the cropping neither.
Sadly I managed to kill my plants when I  tried to move them into another location..they didn't like it and now I'm in year two with my seed grown plants. The old crowns when I dug them up where HUGE..roots all over the place and I uspect that was the reason they got bit 'upset'..I just couldn't get 'clean view' of the crown and lift them with mimimum of damage.

[pumkinlover]

That's all interesting, I think I will cut them all off this year, until later on and then let a few grow, while still cropping the big ones.

I understand that asparagus does not like being moved Goodlife  and your experience suggests that.
Thanks for the replies :)

[gavinjconway]

That's all interesting, I think I will cut them all off this year, until later on and then let a few grow, while still cropping the big ones.

I understand that asparagus does not like being moved Goodlife  and your experience suggests that.
Thanks for the replies :)

Nooooooooooo... you must leave at least 4 or 5 to make food in the plant for next year..
ps. they don't mind being moved as long as you leave them for a year before you pick any..

[Andy H]

It doesn`t like being moved!

Keep bed weed free and add a layer from compo bin for a feed.

I cut them when they are fat but in about 6 weeks I will let the odd skinny one grow into a fern and leave till dead,
then snip off later in the year after all the goodness has gone back down to the roots,

I think when they die off(ferns) It is best to cut them down before the wind rips them down and
causes a bit more damage.

Year one cut nothing, year 2 always leave some and cut just a few, when really healthy they produce loads!

[Ninnyscrops.]

Our English asparagus season is only for 8 weeks. So crop until end of June at the latest then touch no more. Let the ferns grow high and don't cut them down until they have well and truly yellowed or dead so they have fed the plants for next year, mulch well in winter.......think daffodil foliage  ;)

Ninny

[gwynnethmary]

Thinking of mulching asparagus in winter-I've read that you can use seaweed-has anyone tried this?  We put it on our potato bed in the winter  and had a great crop last year,  and I feel as though the asparagus could really do with something to feed it......or something!

[cacran]

I am pleased that this subject is being discussed as I am always confused about what to do, too.

My concern is when to actually pick it. How long should it be? I look at it and think I will leave it for another day, then, as if by magic, it is too late. Already started to turn into a fearn. It grows so fast, I often think you could almost see it grow!!

[Jeannine]

Presuming the plants are three years ir older.Cut everything that comes up at first, then after mid June don't cut anyhting.Let the spears develop into tall ferns, don't cut them off till they yellow in the fall. The tubers pull nourishment down from the fern fronds just like daffs and tulips do with their greenery.

Younger plants are dealt with differntly. 

XX Jeannine

[cacran]

Thanks Jeannine, that is useful information. How high should they be when I cut the ones for eating? If I have let some (loads) turn ito ferns already, can I cut the short ones off that are still coming up until the end of June?

[gavinjconway]

Thanks Jeannine, that is useful information. How high should they be when I cut the ones for eating? If I have let some (loads) turn ito ferns already, can I cut the short ones off that are still coming up until the end of June?

I break mine off when they are about 8-9 inches tall. This means they will fit in my saucepan!!

[Andy H]

Break! I think you should cut them just under the soil!

[pumkinlover]

When I was looking into this I read that cutting themunder the soil can damage the crown, and as the bed I planted was not planted deep enough I have started cutting above the ground. 8-9" height is good, but walk away and back and they will be 18" ;) ;) ;)

[gavinjconway]

I never cut them as I would always forget the knife..  My veg patch (2 acres when in Zimbabwe) was 100 mt from the house and invariably I would be walking past and pick for the feed before the main meal.. 

[Jeannine]

I use a curved asparagus knife , scrape away the soil round the spear and then cut under soil level XX Jeannine

[Ninnyscrops.]

Another lovely crop today, on the table for son and I as hubby and daughter don't eat it (one of these days I will get them to try it  ::)).

If you don't get up to where you are growing it every day, as I can't at this time of year, cut down any ferny looking ones and compost, if there are 1 foot ones with even seedy looking spears cut them at ground level and take them home along with the short ones. Your kitchen knife will tell you the best place to cut them for cooking as you prepare the long spears, just cut them in the most tender place.

Ninny

[saddad]

I had a massive beetle infestation... went out three consecutive evenings and got 200+ but could see all the egss on the fern. So last week I cut all the fern and any emerging spears and burnt what couldn't be eaten... hopefully that has broken the cycle. Now have a fresh flush emerging. Will take one or two cuts then leave to build up strength... keeping an eye out for any beetles...  :-X