Harvesting Asparagus

[Susiebelle]

My plants are in there third year so this is the first year of a proper harvest. I started harvesting of the 4th May and am hetting a good daily harvest.  What my question is how long do I harvest for and is it ok during the harvest period to cut the last spear from plants or should I always leave one spear to grow on :-\

[caroline7758]

I've always carried on harvesting until they start going to seed.

[saddad]

I'm not thinking of carying on harvesting much longer... let them build up for the next season!  :-\

[Suzanne]

Mine are roughly the same age as yours - planted in 2005. We have been harvesting since beginning of May and they are slowing down a bit so i am going to stop now. Also my OH keeps saying "not asparagus again" when we have dinner - how ungrateful can you get  ::)

[tim]

Susie -

1. 'They' say 6 weeks.

2. Cut every usable spear.

[Susiebelle]

Thanks Tim, thats just wot I wanted to hear! :)

[tonybloke]

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 ;)