I planted asparagus last spring, in the bottom of a trench. The trench is about half full. It began to grow (to my complete amazement) nicely. I left it alone all summer, and it still has all it's fronds waving happily. We had a very dry late summer, and when it finally rained, many of the plants decided that it was spring. Including my asparagus, which sent up a bunch of new spears, which I (with great difficulty) left alone. They are now fluffy as well as the older ones. I'm guessing I leave them for winter, but do I fill in the rest of the trench this winter? And, does this count as the second year, meaning I can eat some next spring *G*?
Asparagus care
I would fill it with a mix of soil and organic matter, and would cur the growth off when it gets cold there. In our little patch, asparagus is by far the easiest plant to care for.
I wouldn't count this year as two years BUT there is a compromise method. Leave one of the earliest and largest spears for each root as a "mother" to feed the root. Harvest any spears smaller than the "mother" but larger than a pencil. Leave any spears smaller than a pencil to feed the root, too. I used this method once (but moved away after 4 years) - it seemed to work to get the plants through the establishment period.
*G*. Yeah, I kinda figured that it would be "cheating", and of little benefit in the long run. I can wait, I think, but may take just one or two next spring, just for fun:)
Thanks:)
Catmad, I was hoping I could harvest some this past spring, but I waited -- except for just a couple I ate right out of the ground. Oh, my. Out of this world. Come spring... yum...
I'm hoping I'll be able to do then same, and stop with just a couple ;)
I waited a full three years before cutting the asparagus. Last year was the 4th year and I cut the first "flush" - next summer I'm hoping to have enough to be able to freeze the excess.