Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú

Grow your own  permalink

Asparagus

• Message 1. 

  Posted by Dempola (U15191738) on Sunday, 18th March 2012

  Hi there,
  I have discovered Asparagas on my new plot. It is overgrown with moss and grass and I've tried to clear this as carefully as possible but I just end up topping the grass and leaving roots. Has anybody got any tips on how deep I should dig around it and what is the best tool to use. Also shoul I smother it with manure?. I'd be grateful for any advice.
  Thank you

  Link to this forum: Asparagus

  Report message1

• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by chrisbucks (U14300604) on Monday, 19th March 2012

  If the shoots are already coming up (are you saying that shoots are already appearing?) I would leave the weeding for this year, and just cut and eat the asparagus, and then weed it thoroughly in late Autumn, perhaps even using glyphosate when the shoots have died back.
  
  The aparagus should have been originally planted 6-9 inches deep, but if it's well established, digging out weeds at this time of year shouldn't cause it any problems.
  
  Yes, it does like plenty of manure, just heaped on the bed - this also helps to keep the weeds down for next year.

  Link to this forum: Asparagus

  Report message2

• Message 3

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Italophile (U12516505) on Tuesday, 20th March 2012

  I'd get as many weeds - and all off the moss - out as you can now. Weeds are the enemy and you'll have tons more once the weather warms up. You should be able to disturb the soil safely down to a couple of inches. Use a hand fork to loosen the soil and remove the invaders roots and all. Obviously avoid the spears if you have them developing. You can safely add manure providing it's nicely aged.

  Link to this forum: Asparagus

  Report message3

• Message 4

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by 7magpies (U8108459) on Tuesday, 20th March 2012

  I'd just pick at the weeds with finger tips, because once the asparagus shoots start to come up, they're easily damaged. Or you could poke carefully around with a small fork, such as an ordinary kitchen fork, to try to get the grass roots out. Moss should scrape out quite easily.
  
  A mulch of compost or leaf mould might help to smother the weeds and nourish the asparagus - personally I don't like the idea of manure coming into contact with the part of the food I'm going to eat, but that's up to you!

  Link to this forum: Asparagus

  Report message4

• Message 5

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by Italophile (U12516505) on Wednesday, 21st March 2012

  The manure shouldn't be over or close enough to the spears to attach to them. The roots should have spread horizontally underground so the nourishment is best added along the root line away from the spears.

  Link to this forum: Asparagus

  Report message5

• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by Dempola (U15191738) on Wednesday, 21st March 2012

  Thank you to everybody for some really useful advice, what a fabulous website.

  Link to this forum: Asparagus

  Report message6

• Message 7

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by ageing_hippie (U6742113) on Friday, 23rd March 2012

  I have four asparagus beds on my plots. I find the only way I can keep on top of the perennial weeds is to give them a good spray with Glyphosate in the winter when the asparagus is safely dormant below ground. It takes a very long time to work, but it does leave the beds clear of docks, thistles, dandelions and couch grass by spring-time. This is contrary to the normal instructions for Glyphosate, but I find it is a huge help in managing the beds. I mulch heavily with leafmould and spent potting compost. This is relatively weed free and creates a nice crumbly soil structure. I hand weed in the spring, but when I stop cutting and let the plumes grow they exclude the light and restrict weed growth themselves.

  Link to this forum: Asparagus

  Report message7

Back to top