Cutting back asparagus

[timmyalex]

Morning Everybody,

My 2 year old asparagus bed is approaching winter nicely. I have had between 5-10 fronds develop from each plant over the summer and am now looking at cutting back for winter. But when exactly do i do this.? Only a couple of fronds have turned brownish and the rest are all really green. As with all things on the "intaweb" i am finding conflicting advice, not to cut, cut in autumn, cut in spring etc etc.
Whats everybody's experience.? I have come too far nurturing the bed and resisting taking any of the spears for the past 2 years that i really want to give the plants the best care and attention over winter before my first eating crop in the April of next year.

[JimmerG]

Timmyalex,

If they're yellowing - they are ready to be cut down to soil level, if they're green they could still be providing nutrients to the crowns, and are probably best left intact.

Once a frost hits they should all start to die off - then you can cut the whole lot away. You don't really want them left standing for the winter, once they've all been cut down (autumn) you want to get a good layer of well rotted manure/compost on them. This will protect the crowns from frosts and provide nutrients for the spring.

J

[Pumpkin Becki]

I agree with JimmerG, cut the brown ones and leave the others until they have turned brown too. However, I was of the understanding that, rather than cut right down to the ground, you leave a few inches of stalk on each. I don't know what the wisdom is behind this, maybe its to help you spot the crowns over winter (so you don't hoe or dig near them - I know they don't like root disturbance).