Help with Asparagas and advise with what to do with our plot

[Veggie Virgins]

Hi All,
we have moved to a house with a half acre plot that has been used as a veggie garden by the previous owner but the house was empty for about 8 months before we moved in, the only thing we know is that we have a very over grown Asparagas bed which we would like to sort out but we are scared we may damage the Asparagas plants, can anyone give us some HELP and ADVISE on what we should be doing.

Thanks
Veggie Vergins.

[allotmentlady]

I would cut out the old stuff and leave it until the new growth starts to come through, you could just level it all off and wait foe the new growth.

As for the rest of the garden, if you still want to grow veges, plan what you want to grow, invest in raised beds and get going lol.....might be worthwhile manuring the soil, give it some nutrients.

Any pics?

[snuffer]

Hi there Veggie Virgins. I would do as allotmentlady says and cut back all old growth. If there is any sign of perenial weeds like dandelion or nettle I would carefully remove them. Be especially careful removing any deep rooted dandelions. Do it by hand if possible rather than getting in there with a trowel. You don't want to be damaging the asparagus crowns. After that I would mulch over the bed to supress any annual weeds. It should be safe to put a good 5cm covering on top of an already established bed. All that remains is to keep the bed weed free and you should be enjoying nice fresh asparagus later this year.

Have fun with the rest of your plot.

[Paulottie]

Hi There VV

You should be able to tell and mark where the crowns are by the dead ferns. for the first bit cut these 6" long. Weed bed by hand with hand fork, or dibber as suggested. obviously shallow near the crowns but you have to dig out the weed spagetti as poss.

Cut the rest of fern to ground and burn the lot.

Add salt at about 1oz /sq yd..(bit more generous with road grit stuff-everything but asparagus hates it). generously mulch the bed..seaweed excellent but leafmould or rotted- muck will do.

This spring establish if the bed needs thinning and mark any for the chop...particularly the females (berries that set everywhere) 15" min between crowns.

When the bindweed comes let it wind up canes remove them stuff plant in sandwich bag and spray with weedkiller. keep handweeding and look for beetles and grubs

You will have given the bed every chance and it should recover for a while at least. Depends how old/worked out/weed-infested it is. Good luck