how best to remove last weeds for next year's asparagus?

[anthea]

Last year I cleared a patch of bindweed, docks and couch grass thinking I'd plant asparagus there this spring. I dug deeply, dug in very rotted manure, then at the end of winter made a raised bed and added sand. But eventually I took advice from some of you people, and decided I'd be over-confident if I assumed I'd got all the couch grass and bindweed out first go. So I'm waiting another year.

So far the raised bed is looking lovely, and sadly empty. But I'm wondering, what should I do now to prepare it for next year and to properly eliminate all the couch grass and bindweed. I'm reluctant to climb over it to dig it unless I need to, since it's so nice and light and fluffy.

Should I wait to watch what comes up? or cover it with plastic? or with that black fabric that lets the rain in?

Any advice welcome: having got this far I want it to be perfect!

[anthea]

[Robert_Brenchley]

Plant something for this year, and dig out all the weeds when you take the crop. Grow two successive crops and you get two goes at it. Then plant your asparagus next year.

[Vortex]

As I see it you have two choices. You've got a prepared bed now, ready to go, so you could plant and take the chance, or you grow in it this year get the remained of the couch grass out but have to remake the bed next winter.

I can't say I envy you the choice. I think I'd take the risk, after all what's left should be small and should be easily removable with a hand fork or knife without too much disturbance of the crowns.

If you're going to grow in it this year, and not plant asparagus I'd go for an early crop and then a green manure.

[caroline7758]

My asparagus bed is full of grass (OH thought he's cleared it but he's not as thorough as me) but we've still had two years of great asparagus. Bob Flowerdew recommends burning off the weeds when the asparagus is dormant.

[Robert_Brenchley]

If you do decide to go ahead, get your asparagus from a specialist not local GC's. I've tried the latter twice and got nowhere. You should have seen the size of the crowns I got from http://www.asparagus-in-kent.co.uk/ . There's no comparison at all.

[anthea]

Thanks v much for these opinions.  I struggled with the decision to hold back on the asaparagus for another year, and did wonder, what's the worst that can happen if I do get bad weeds growing amongst my asparagus. If I can get a reasonably decent crop amidst the weeds, perhaps I'd perer to have that rather than lose another year. I could go for the short-term approach, then start another more perfect bed somewhere else later maybe.

[ceres]

Anthea, you won't get a crop this year.  From time of planting it takes 3 years to get a crop.  Asparagus is a labour of love and patience!

[Robert_Brenchley]

Once it's in, it's in for a generation. It doesn't like being dug around once its roots develop. So get the nasties well and truly out before you start a bed, to prevent future grief.

[caroline7758]

Anthea, you won't get a crop this year.  From time of planting it takes 3 years to get a crop.  Asparagus is a labour of love and patience!

Doesn't this depend on the age of the crowns? We planted two-year old crowns and got a crop the first year (when I guess they were 2 yrs old).

[Robert_Brenchley]

You could end up weakening the crowns if you take spears too early. As it's such a long-term crop, better to wait.