Allotments 4 All

Hi all,
       I cut two lengths of asparagus to two inches below soil level,the above soil part was approx`4/5"tall.We cooked them within the hour,and as said the top half was succulent,and the bottom half was woody/and stringy.
       These are the very first cuttings,and the plants are in their third season now.

        Thankyou for any advice,
                         Regards,
                                Mark.

That's normal.  Once you have cut the stem, snap it by holding both ends and bending.  It breaks at the woody point leaving you a tender spear.   Works for the bought stuff too.

Some books actually say break above ground.

I keep the snapped off bits for soups and stock - can't bear to throw them away.

Jitterbug

Too true!!

Mine aren't even showing yet - but thanks for that tip Jitterbug seems so obvious now..........

I've got to wait a whole nother year - not exactly instant gratification this gardening business.  :(

Lucky you marymary I grew mine from seed and have another two years to wait.  :(

AlanP - well you're one year ahead of me - we haven't got any at the moment!

just seen my very first spear nudging its way above the soil, this being the plants' third year. I will pass comment next year :D

We cut ours (Cito) just below ground level. We cut off the below ground white bit. However, the bottom inch is still woody, but only on the outside. We resolve this by simply removing the outside of this bottom inch with a potato peeler.