Winter help!!!

[jackyspratty]

Not been up lotty for a bit as I damaged my shoulder and couldnt go. I need advice with the following as I ghave googled and got differing opinions and would like to know what you would do with the following as snow is meant to be heading our way this week.

I have Globe artichokes, (1st year) should I cut them down and mulch heavily with straw or leave them?

Asparagus (2nd year), not cut any yeat, should I cut down and mulch or leave them?

Oca - The foliage had not completely died back when I vivited on Friday and the tubers were still small. If there is snow heading down would you leave them or get the small meagre tubers up now!

Anyone have a crystal ball!


I realsise I will not get difinitive anszwes but want help to stop dithering!

[Aberdeenplotter]

I don't and never have grown any of these crops but it strikes me that it can do no harm to mulch now for protection from possible damage by frost. If you discover it's best not to protect from frost, it's not too big a thing to rake the mulch away again.

[jackyspratty]

Thanks aberdeen! I think mulching is best too, but not sure about cutting back re the globes and asparagus?
Anyone know?

[jackyspratty]

After much searching its seems to cut back now is a good idea and then heavily mulch. However there is debate about whther to cut the asparagus and if so how far down , have had advise between 2 and 10 inches? The globes should be cut back and the leaves and stalks used as a mulch and then covered in straw.

Still undecided what to do about the oca!

[rustylady]

Cut the asparagus to ground level, weed the bed and topdress with compost or well rotted manure.

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

I'm guessing your Oca is in pots, so they need a couple of weeks after the foliage has died back for the tubers to swell. So can you move the Oca into a greenhouse as a severe frost will turn the tubers to mush (one of the drawbacks with Oca)

If the Oca is in the ground can you pop a cloche over the plants to give them some protection?

[northepaul]

Definately protect the globe artichokes.

[kathyd]

Hi

I've cut my asparagus down to about 3 or 4 inches so that the wind doesn't rock it and damage the roots (it was planted earlier this year). I did put a fairly thin layer of compost on the bed at the same time, because the roots aren't very deep, and I'll probably put a bit more down if I have any left over when everything else is tucked up .

[VirginVegGrower]

Cut down happens in Autumn so does do quickly then mulch pronto.
Oca? Don't know - but real seeds sell this. Ask them or check website.

[chris]

Well, my globe artichokes in the garden are seriously romping away - chucking new shoots/leaves up as I type.

I'm going to wait until they're hit by a harsh frost, then protect the crowns with a bit of straw/compost.

[BUFFS]

Cut the asparagus to ground level, weed the bed and topdress with compost or well rotted manure.

spot on rustylady,and dont be mean with the topdressing,i give mine 3ins deep and let the worms do the rest..

[jackyspratty]

Thanks I sent OH up lotty to do the deed! Asparagus cut down to 2-3 inches and mulched with manure and straw, Globes half done! Oca covered in fleece but need to get them out really as the few I got outlast week were holey with eariwigs in them, Tasty though! (the oca not the eariwig!) I cant dig at the mo though!

[jackyspratty]

Definately protect the globe artichokes.

Do not fret Thea! Have finished the job!Cut down mulched with leaves, heaped with straw and then coverd with severed globe leaves. Nice and snug (fingers crossed!) I lost most last year and I love love love them!

Got oca out! Some small some big but not too munched. If snow not forecast would have waited a wee bit longer.! I do like their lemony zing and the nuttyness when eaten raw, not tried them cooked yet though! And what a beautiful colour they are too scarlott indeed!
As usual thanks for all tips and advice everyone...at least you spurred me into action which was my main problem!!