Asparagus fall harvest ? ?

Question

I planted a new bed of asparagus this past spring. All are looking very well, with tall heavy top growth. They are continuing to send up new growth, with a lot of new sprouts continuing even now. Weather man says below freezing next week. As I understand, this will end this seasons growth. If I harvest some of the new growth a couple days before the freeze, will this harm the plant in any way? ——– I plan on waiting a few days after the freeze, expecting the plants to die back, and then cut off the growth just above the ground. Then I will cover the entire bed with grass clippings and straw, a couple of inches. Is this the correct treatment for them? TNX

Answer 1

Cutting any from a fresh planting would definitely be a mistake. I would hold off for three years or more before making your first harvests.

They need this die off period. As this happens, they are taking nutrients out of the stalks and putting them back into the plant root system to store for the next year.

This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/asparagus/growing-asparagus.htm