Hope no one minds me asking this question again - I have read the 2009 thread but just wandered if any one any more thoughts on the subject.
My Asparagus is definitely being nibbled! I can not find any evidence of slugs, they are planted in raised beds and I can see there is woodlice but can't see anything else- it's not just a few and I have quite a high number of bent ones - not sure what causes that either-
Any thoughts on the subject would be very welcome
It might be worth trying a few organic slug pellets or traps just to see.
Are mice a possibility?
If you are getting bent ones it sounds like they are being damaged either in the soil or when they are emerging and then growing on unevenly.
Although you can't see evidence of slugs, my guess is that slugs are nibbling at your asparagus. Tiny slugs often don't leave much of a trail. The bent stems are a good clue - the slug has a nibble at one side, and the stem then distorts as it grows. Sometimes rots can do this, but if the stem is good and firm, it's probably slugs. A dry mulch will help deter them, with a few organic slug pellets if you want. I haven't noticed woodlice attacking asparagus here.
Problem I've had this year is ground frost knocking out quite a few spears, this weather is hard to deal with.
Thanks for responses - those dastardly slugs are obviously at it again :(