I am entering my second year with my asparagus plant. Do I need to cut its growth?
The cutting of asparagus does not happen until the third year when you can start taking a small harvest. Your primary objective in year two should be weeding.
Here is an article on harvesting asparagus that will help you:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/asparagus/harvesting-asparagus.htm
We are making an asparagus bed. We amended the bed with peat moss and sand because it was pretty much clay. Will the peat moss help or hurt asparagus growth?
Asparagus is tolerant of most soil conditions except clay.
They prefer a sandy loamy soil. Asparagus need good drainage and the soil needs to be able to maintain moisture.
An optimum ph is between 6.5 and 7.0.
You an do a quick soil test on your bed to determine where you are at with the amendments that you have added.
If you ph is too high you can add sulphur to correct as determined by a soil test.
Your local County Extension Office can help you with a soil test.
I've included a link to help you find your nearest office.
Will asparagus do well planted in 20-inch deep raised beds? I live in southeast Quebec.
I would not recommend planting in raised beds.
My asparagus plants are 2 years old this season (2016). Can I move them to a new bed this winter?
Here is an article that will help you with transplanting.
Grew very tall and then chopped down and left about 10-12." What should we do? We are new owners and the garden was already there for several years.
I have listed several links for you that will help you learn how to care for you asparagus bed.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/asparagus/growing-asparagus.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/asparagus/asparagus-ferning-out-early.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/asparagus/cutting-asparagus-foliage-back-in-autumn.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/asparagus/harvesting-asparagus.htm
I live in Toronto, Canada. I have asparagus plant, planted from root crown about 30 years ago. I believe it is Jersey Variety, doesn't bloom and fruit so it must be male. However, it does taste bitter, sometimes more, sometimes less. The soil is very poor, sandy and soil around spears has little sunlight only in the morning. Later when plant grows to about 2 feet, it does get more sun, as it is located next to garage. If you can think of reason why bitterness is there, I would very much appreciate your help. Could it be shade, poor soil, age of the plant, weather, way I harvest (I cut spears only for short period, mostly only few in May). Thank You Peter
Actually, I would like to add to my question more info. This old asparagus plant is just alone, one plant surrounded by grass on one side and flowers on the other side. Could it be that somehow asparagus flavor is affected by roots of surrounding plants and grass?? Thank You Peter
Can I save asparagus plants, sweet potato vines, elephant ear bulbs indoors then have next year? I have these plants outside on patio and want to bring them indoors for the winter. I have elephant ear plants in yard that I want to cut off stem and leaves and save the bulbs.
You can bring all of these plants indoors and winter over with some work.
The Asparagus Fern should be just fine, adding some humidity through the winter by misting the plant will help.
The Sweet Potato Vine can be cut back to help the plant adjust to the new location.
Here are links to help you with all the plant care and how to store your Elephant Ear bulbs for winter.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/asparagus-fern/asparagus-fern-care.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/sweet-potato/grow-sweet-potato-plant.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/elephant-ear/growing-elephant-ears-indoors.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/elephant-ear/storing-elephant-ear-bulbs.htm