Asparagus Tips advice please

[geepee]

My Asparagus ferns are still 'Lush' green and full of vigour, despite 2/3 frosts over the last couple of weeks.
Should I be patient and wait for signs of some natural die back before cutting down etc or if not , will I cut down regardless without compromising next years growth.
The ones on left of picture are first year ( sown from seed in Jan/Feb 2017 by me ) the right side plants were bought from garden centre as 1/2 yr old in spring of 2017.
All growing in a raised bed.
Advice please.

[scarey55]

Hello Geepee, I'm afraid I have no advice to give you but your question has been moved to a separate post so that it doesn't get lost.

Hopefully someone will be along to help soon, I would be interested in the answers, it is something I would like to grow...eventually

[geepee]

Thanks KK.

[Dynamo]

I've got over a dozen asparagus plants in pots that are a couple of years old since seed and I am going to keep them in the greenhouse over winter to at least keep a bit of the frost off them. I don't intend cutting them back because I figure that the more sun the plants harvest the power from at this point in time the better.

[Mr Bones]

I'd leave them to die back on their own GP, some sorts die back faster / slower than others. Having moved asparagus crowns and seen how big they grow yours might also benefit in the long term if transplanted into a bigger bed.

[BUFFS]

I would cut them back as soon as they have had a hard frost, I always put a couple of inches of home made compost on top to let the worms take it down over the winter, as the roots will continue to grow, ready for the spring growth, you only get out what you put in, so give them some food and stand back..

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

Geepee!

Leave em be for the time being, as the ferns are now "Photosynthesising" what light levels are left in the year and feeding it back to the crowns beneath, and as "Buff's" says, once frosted, hack em back to ground level with a lovely mulch of compost, well rotted manure, and they will pay dividends next year!

[Baldy]

wot Deano said...

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

Geepee!

"Photosynthesising"

Is that a word? ....................

[geepee]

I've got over a dozen asparagus plants in pots that are a couple of years old since seed and I am going to keep them in the greenhouse over winter to at least keep a bit of the frost off them. I don't intend cutting them back because I figure that the more sun the plants harvest the power from at this point in time the better.

I hear what your saying , but if you dont cut back, where will next years spears appear >>???

[geepee]

I'd leave them to die back on their own GP, some sorts die back faster / slower than others. Having moved asparagus crowns and seen how big they grow yours might also benefit in the long term if transplanted into a bigger bed.

Thanks for that Mt B .
I am mindful of the bed size but was all I could manage at the the time due to size of available space
My intention is /was to move / destroy half of the crowns and re plant when more space available, unfortunately I dont have unlimited room.

[geepee]

I would cut them back as soon as they have had a hard frost, I always put a couple of inches of home made compost on top to let the worms take it down over the winter, as the roots will continue to grow, ready for the spring growth, you only get out what you put in, so give them some food and stand back..

Thanks Buff, that was my thoughts too.

[geepee]

Geepee!

Leave em be for the time being, as the ferns are now "Photosynthesising" what light levels are left in the year and feeding it back to the crowns beneath, and as "Buff's" says, once frosted, hack em back to ground level with a lovely mulch of compost, well rotted manure, and they will pay dividends next year!

Not sure if ........Photo wassting ' is a word or not, but I know what you mean, seems we speak the same Lingo ..
[I] moved here from Newcastle 15 months ago .
Fortunately caught up with an old aquantance, dairy farmer, who has given me 'Cart Blanche' to his 'Muck Heap; jet black and 'Oozing Juice' .
Have 6 dustbin full solid waiting to go .

[Hereford fruit grower]

I wouldn't cut them back unless they collapse across the rest of the garden. Some of mine did collapse in September. As they were 2.5 m high, they got a little in the way (!)

I'd expect cutting back to have the same effect on the strength of the plant as eating the shoots earlier in the year has. So don't do it more than necessary.

Most of my top growth has now died back/dried up naturally, which happens most years before any significant frost arrives. If you're further north, I hope yours has died back by now too.

[BUFFS]

Is that a word? ....................

Can you get arrested for it??