I inherited an asparagus patch which last year produced a nice crop. This year has not been good. The crop has all been very thin stems that have shown seed from the ground up so I've not really had any to eat. 4 questions if anyone can help...... 1. how do I prep the bed for next year to insure a good crop again..with what? & when? 2. when gathering is it best to cut with a knife beneath the surface or can you just pull? 3. what is the procedure for white asparagus...or is it a different plant altogether? 4. do these plants have a life span?...what age do I replace with new ones? Thanks for any info you might have.
Hello Borg, 1. I will assume the bed was dug deep and well prepared if you got a good crop last year. Did you allow the bed to grow on at the end of last years season? You have to allow the spears to grow on to the "ferny" stage so they can store energy for the following year. Balanced fertilizer should be added to the surface in late winter/early spring before growth begins, if needed, and high nitrogen fertilizer can be added after harvest is complete to encourage green growth, which should be left until it dies back naturally. 2. Best to cut below the surface, so as not to damage the roots. 3. White asparagus is the same plant. The shoots are shielded from the sun to prevent greening. 4. Lifespan of a bed is generally 15-25 years.
