In our dinky suburban garden, we've got a few aparagus crowns started (first planted last year). When they first sprouted this season, we got a few tiny spears, and then the plants went to ferns. My wife cut the ferns back, thinking it would force spears out, but the ferns have returned with a vengeance. Should I just leave the ferns alone for this year?
(More) Asparagus Questions
- Thread starter JRobyn
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EastTexFrank
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It's been a while since I put in our asparagus bed but I think you are supposed to let them grow for the first year and not harvest them until the second year and then do it sparingly. That lets them get established, develop the root system and put up some better spears the second year. Usually, I only cut them for a month or two at the most and them let them grow and develop into the ferns. They are quite an attractive plant. Also, when harvesting, you have to cut a few spears almost every day because they grow so fast. Leave them for 3 or 4 days and they will grow and open into the ferns. There isn't much better than fresh cut asparagus with hollandaise sauce. Have fun.
Bird
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There isn't much better than fresh cut asparagus with anything . . . or without anything.
schmism
Super Member
did you see my asparagus thread?
newly planted asparagus will take ~3 years to mature into "normal" spears.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/93345-asparagus.html?highlight=asparagus
we were TRYING to harvest ours every 3 days durring the week, but not living there it was kinda hard and more than a few got away from us.
durring the weekend we had some to cut every day.
all and all our first year and being new to asparagus, we pulled 10-15 lbs out of the garden....
we expect next year to be better as the plants have gotten proper attention this year, and we know were to find them now....
newly planted asparagus will take ~3 years to mature into "normal" spears.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/93345-asparagus.html?highlight=asparagus
we were TRYING to harvest ours every 3 days durring the week, but not living there it was kinda hard and more than a few got away from us.
durring the weekend we had some to cut every day.
all and all our first year and being new to asparagus, we pulled 10-15 lbs out of the garden....
we expect next year to be better as the plants have gotten proper attention this year, and we know were to find them now....
jbrumberg
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JRobyn said:
Leave them alone this year. Harvest them sparingly next year. Really enjoy them the following year
! Jay
archerynut
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jbrumberg said:Leave them alone this year. Harvest them sparingly next year. Really enjoy them the following year
Ditto, the third year will be much more productive than year one and two. Unfortunately I just moved from the house where I had them planted (for a house with more land) and this would be the third year. I hope the new owners like asparagus.
MarkV
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JRobyn said:
Yes leave the ferns. That is how the root stock feeds and grows to produce more spears the next year. We just mow ours down when they begin to wilt in the fall.
MarkV