Cut asparagus until midsummers day. from then, as the days get shorter, the plant builds itself up for the next year. apply a mulch of compost (homemade) with a scattering of comfrey leaves, (and seaweed if you can get it, it's a maritime plant) Cut down fern when it dies off, to ground level, or below (about 20/25 mm) rgds, Tony ;)