Asparagus over winter advice please!

[Trixiebelle]

Sorry, I know there is a search facility on here but I'd really appreciate some specific advice on my asparagus bed.

I've weeded it today ready for winter - very carefully so I don't disturb the roots. A bit tricky when it's been invaded by docks, couch and dandelions  ::) Blasted things.

What can I do to help it recuperate over winter? I stuck a load of henhouse droppings over it last year (in November) but the harvest this year was a bit thin on the ground.

Shall I cover it with something ... or chuck 'duck-muck' and straw on it?

And will I damage the crowns if I weed AGGRESSIVELY as opposed to trying to dig out weeds with a teaspoon  ::)

Thanks in advance!

Trixie XXXX

[Trixiebelle]

[cleo]

Weed hard by all means just be careful. I read today that we are expecting a cold snap sometime this winter so a mulch of straw would do no harm but do remove it before the new shooots  emerge. 

A dressing of common salt is said to be good for asparagus but I couldn`t say how much.

[Trixiebelle]

Thanks Cleo!

Salt? What sort?

I'll definitely put straw over - but does anyone know if straw mixed with duck muck is ok?

Trixie X

[tim]

Blind thoughts after 3 Scotches -

1. Trixie - you've weeded after cutting down to 2"?
2. Me? I don't like to fertilise until the Spring - but I do cover with compost to supress weeds & build up the bed.
3. Go ahead & weed!!
4. Protection? The roots are 5" under & unlikely to suffer the norm?

E&OE

[supersprout]

hi trixie
in an ideal world I'd always mulch asparagus heavily with seaweed -

kills tough weeds without disturbing the roots - by salt and light exclusion
top grub for asparagus, salt and all
will disappear by spring leaving the crowns to sprout

[jennym]

The duck muck in the straw is likely to be high nitrogen, so best leave that in a pile to rot down a little and put it on in say, March, just at the plants are beginning to need it. Don't mulch my asparagus, but then am in the south.

[tin can]

Nahhh..just weed everyting having cut back to 2 ".Then give a good dressing of rocksalt over the winter period!
( you can easily buy this or aquire it from those tubs by the road side - for gritting!!!) :o
Some people cut it below soil level to stop rain going down to the crowns through the tube you create by cutting it back!
So any ways......your choice really!!

[LILACSPLASH]

I've planted a new bed this autumn, it's all bare earth as you'd imagine. I was thinking of a good 4" of straw and the some home made compo on top to stop the straw from blowing away + the nutrients come spring... now I'm doubting myself, was going to do this to the rhubarb too. Someone please either reassure me or warn me off ???

[supersprout]

sounds great to me lilac :)

[LILACSPLASH]

good, thanks, glad of that, had my day all planned out for tomorrow ;)

[tin can]

Sounds good to me too!..have a good day off!! ;)

[caroline7758]

I heard Bob Flowerdew recommending burning off weeds on an asparagus bed, but I guess this would be when the plants have died back completely. Has anyone tried this?

[Trixiebelle]

Thanks for all the tips (excuse the pun!)  ;D

I will venture forth and find a council grit-bin. And if I get caught I shall tell them 'Tin-Can made me do it'  ;D

[jennym]

I heard Bob Flowerdew recommending burning off weeds on an asparagus bed, but I guess this would be when the plants have died back completely. Has anyone tried this?

Yes - the asparagus survived, not sure if burning is any more effective than just pulling out the weeds though. With the right soil (light) the weeds come out easily from an asparagus bed. The stuff burnt was dry and crsip, can't recall which year it was, but we'd had a very dry sutumn.