Well to continue, I usually wait until the ferns have turned brown before cutting back. My husband cut them back before this occurred. Well, it's the middle of April and I should be seeing asparagus crowns poking coming up but I have zilch. Did he kill the plants or will I have to plant new roots?
This is not the best way or time to cut them down. It won't usually kill them flat out, though. I would expect late growth and not near as much as usual this year. It should recover by the next.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/asparagus/winterizing-asparagus-beds.htm
I enjoy receiving your newsletters.
So glad you enjoy our newsletters! The best way to deal with weeds in your asparagus beds is probably to mulch them with straw or bark when the asparagus is a few inches tall. Of course, pulling them by hand is an option. In early spring, you can use a pre-emergent such as corn gluten meal. After harvest you can use a post-emergent herbicide.
This article mentions these options but ignore the old-time-once-used salt method. (salt can render soil useless)
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/asparagus/salt-on-asparagus-weeds.htm
The plants are growing like a low bushy fern like ground cover. The bed is 4 by 8 and has 10 crowns in it. There are some regular tall ferns growing as well. The spears are quite thin.
Here's an article that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/asparagus/thin-asparagus-spears.htm
I would like all you know about asparagus. I'm looking for what has hit my long established asparagus patch. Out of the blue some of the spears have come up with a yellow/rust look. They stand still for a while and then seem to get soft and fall over. Often they come up right next to a good spear. What is happening? And can I fix it? Thanks, Rhoda (sorry, no camera)
It sounds like asparagus rust! This article will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/asparagus/treating-rust-asparagus-plants.htm
I’m trying to find information on my husband’s asparagus plants. We already harvested this spring (He’s harvested for several years) and it had the foliage on it. Well our grandkids pulled most of the foliage out? Do you think the asparagus will still come up next year? Is there anything we should do to help the plants? My husband is pretty upset. Thank you for any help you can give. Sincerely, Cassandra Hays cassy_eastsidecc@msn.com
I'm sure that there is some root left behind. As long as this is the case, it will likely come back. Just keep caring for it as usual, and you should start seeing production by next year.
Here is an article that will help you with Asparagus care:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/asparagus/growing-asparagus.htm
When I put table salts on the bed of asparagus to kill the weeks they white tail deer rooted up the bed and made a mess. I think the Epsom Salts would help the asparagus plants.
I would not advise using table salt. It tends to make the soil toxic to plants. Yes, it does kill weeds, but it can also make soil toxic to your asparagus, using too much.
Now, on to the other issue at hand- Deer won't really be attracted to Epsom salts, which is magnesium sulfate. But before adding, make sure that the soil does not already contain the proper amounts of sulfur and magnesium. Adding too much of these can cause more issues, although it is not very common.
It will be a good idea to test your soil for deficiencies and pH imbalances. Once you find out the state of your soil, you can begin to correct the issues with it. Trying to correct deficiencies, blindly, will often lead to worsening of the condition of the soil.
Here are some articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soil-ph-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/epsom-salt-gardening.htm
the soil level in my 7 year old asparagus bed has lowered by three or four inches. Do i need to add more soil? My production has continued to be great.
This article from Clemson University says after producing for 7 years, the beds will start to decline. So you are doing great. It wouldn't hurt to add about an inch of compost, then cover with mulch.
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/asparagus/
Here's one of ours - you surely already know most of this info, but there may be some helpful tips here: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/asparagus/winterizing-asparagus-beds.htm