how do I weed my asparagus bed?

[queen of the cobs]

I know, "carefully", right?

I don't want to use a hoe, as this might damage the new spears which may well be lurking in the ground waiting to leap out, but I don't seem to be able to keep up with the growth by hand weeding alone - damn all this rain.

[Paulottie]

Apply salt at an oz per square yard. and/or mulch with seaweed.(preferably) keep mulching with mushroom compost or leafmould....keep hand weeding

After a year or two you'll just be left with bindweed ... that requires canes to grow it up then unwind and stuff into plastic bag and give a shot of weedkiller - apply a laccy band - leave a few weeks.

[Alison Adams]

Thanks for the salt tip - is the application a 1-time (per season) thing, or at more regular intervals ? How much would be too much/too often for the asparagus ?
I have the same dilemma as QotC - a total carpet of weeds has sprung up this week and Im feeling a bit overwhelmed... I will also try a mulch as its a new bed with lots of bare earth at present.