what do you do with asparagus in the spring

When should I Harvest asparagus?

Asparagus spears are harvested for 6 to 8 weeks in the spring. The harvest is over when we stop cutting the spears and allow them to grow into ferns. It is important to let the ferns grow instead of harvesting spears all summer long. Every time we remove a spear, we remove a stem of the asparagus plant.

What can I do with asparagus?

This easy sautéed asparagus comes together in a flash. Tender-crisp asparagus is delicious on its own brightened up with a touch of lemon or jazzed up with a crispy topping, fresh herbs or crumbled cheese with the variations below. Raw asparagus and mâche give this salad a crisp bite and a spring vibe.

What is the best way to plant asparagus?

The best way to establish an asparagus planting is to purchase one-year-old plants or crowns from a garden center or mail-order nursery. When can I start harvesting my asparagus? A. Asparagus plants should be allowed to become well established before any spears are harvested. No spears should be harvested during the first growing season.

What are the stages of growing asparagus?

As asparagus emerges in the spring, the spears are the first visible growth in the stages of growing asparagus. These spears may be harvested when they are 6 to 8 inches long, typically starting in mid-March and continuing through mid-June. On a mature plant, this harvest may last for up to 10 weeks.

What do I do to my asparagus bed in the spring?

Early spring is also an excellent time to fertilize the asparagus planting. Apply 50 pounds of barnyard manure per 100 square feet. Lightly till the manure into the top 2 or 3 inches of soil with a rototiller or spade. This must be done in early spring before the asparagus starts to grow.

Should asparagus be cut back in spring?

Snow cover helps protect the asparagus crowns from freeze damage. Asparagus foliage allowed to remain in the garden over winter should be removed in late March or early April before spears begin to emerge.

When should you stop cutting asparagus for the season?

Spears should be harvested at six to 10 inches tall. Harvesting ends in late June or early July or when growth has slowed considerably.

When should I remove the mulch from my asparagus bed?

Remove mulch from the second bed when spears begin to appear. Plant double the amount of asparagus needed for your household. Harvest half of the plants as you normally would in spring and early summer and allow the ferns to grow in the other half of the asparagus planting.

Should I let my asparagus go to seed?

0:000:50Let your asparagus grow once it goes to seed #shorts - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnce asparagus shoots up and starts showing those little seed heads right away you know it's time toMoreOnce asparagus shoots up and starts showing those little seed heads right away you know it's time to stop picking it because it's going to seed.

What happens if you don't harvest asparagus?

You should harvest all of the spears that come up until the end of the harvest period, even the small diameter ones. If you don't, asparagus beetles will lay their eggs in those ferns.

Does asparagus come back every year?

Unlike most vegetables, asparagus plants are perennial, which means the same plants grow in your garden year after year. The spears that we enjoy as a vegetable are the new shoots that emerge in spring.

Why do you cut asparagus below the ground?

If you harvest the spears by "snapping" them or breaking them above the soil surface then you will get these woody stumps remaining above the soil surface and they interfere with future harvesting.

Should you leave some asparagus?

Always leave at least two or three spears on the plant through the growing season. Only cut back asparagus ferns AFTER the foliage has died back and turned brown or yellow. This is usually in early winter after several hard freezes.

How can you tell a male asparagus from a female?

The female plants produce round berries. The male plants do not. The easiest way to tell the sex of an asparagus plant is to look for the berries that form from female flowers on the ferns.

Are coffee grounds good for asparagus?

* Coffee grounds alone would be too acidic, but if you're mixing them in with other kitchen waste and especially yard waste like leaves, they're fine. Asparagus prefers a soil pH between 6.5 and 7, which is mildly acidic. Coffee grounds can run 5 or less on the pH scale by themselves.

Should I put straw on my asparagus?

Mulch should be loose enough for water percolation. Straw, pine needles, pine shavings or bark mulch work well as mulch choices. Avoid using dyed mulches (black or red).

How do you prune asparagus plants?

Pruning Asparagus PlantsWait until all the foliage has died back and turned brown or yellow. ... Cut the plants back to the soil surface and apply mulch to help against deep freeze or changes in soil temperatures. ... If you have issues with disease or insects, it's best to cut the tops off of your asparagus.More items...

How do you trim asparagus spears?

How to Trim AsparagusHere's a step by step breakdown of what to do: ... Pick up one stalk and hold it in the middle and at the end. ... Bend the stalk until it snaps. ... Line up the tip of that stalk with the tips of the remaining stalks. ... Slice off the ends of the remaining stalks so they're flush with the snapped stalk.

How do you cut asparagus from the ground?

1:053:35Asparagus Harvest - From the Ground Up - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo twice a day harvest is necessary to get all of your asparagus spears at the correct stage ofMoreSo twice a day harvest is necessary to get all of your asparagus spears at the correct stage of development to harvest asparagus you simply can just snap it off with your hand like that.

How do you restore an asparagus bed?

Steps to revive a neglected asparagus bedWait for a good rain to soften the soil, or water the bed well. ... Using a large sharp knife to cut out thick weed stems below the soil surface. ... Hand pull small weeds around the asparagus plants.Rake the soil surface smooth.Watch for the new weeds to appear.More items...•