Monthly advice
This page is devoted to advice notes, updated bi-monthly to inform and advise gardeners on how to get the most from their asparagus crowns. This will include
- soil guidelines
- hard monitoring
- fertility requirements
- pest and disease forecasting,advice and treatment
- cultural practice
- cutting and cropping guide
- end of season procedures
- bed preparation etc
- and much more
28th October 2012
With rains coming at the end of May and into June the asparagus fern has generally grown well this season.
Hopefully you will have stopped cutting early and, as a result, fen growth will have been good.
Do not be tempted to cut the fern back until it is completely dead; the milder autumn so far bodes well for next seasons production. Once all the fern has died back and is brown then the bed can be cleared.
2012 Plantings
Establishment this year has been difficult owing to the dry April and May. You are doing well if you have fern at 4-5 feet and 4 to 5 stems per crown. If you have poor fern growth then you are advised not to cut next year, but to allow the spears to go straight to fern.