Asparagus Question - Zone 5

[Squirrelgirl88]

We've had our first killing frost of the year. I planted my first asparagus roots this year and the plants all looked really good. Now that we have had the frost and the stems are dying should I cut them off, or leave them til spring?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Welcome to the forum!! Glad you joined us!!

I wait until they are really brown and dried up, then cut them. I don't know if the roots soak up any energy from the dying tops or not, but I give them time just in case.

 

[lesa]

I wait until they are good and dead, as well. Mine turn kind of a sickly yellow- then I cut them down. If you wait until spring - no big deal....They will fall over with the snow.

 

[Carol Dee]

We always seem to wait until spring. They look kind of neat holding the snows of winter!

 

[lighthawk]

Speaking of asparagus. Does anyone have any tips on weed control in an asparagus bed. I have been keeping them mulched with grass clippings and haven't had a lot of problems but I drive past an asparagus farm on the way to and from work and rarely see any weeds in their 8 acre field. Does the asparagus choke the weeds out or do you think they treat the field with something. Late fall or early spring they cut and bale the dried tops and never mulch. Its a mystery to me.

 

[seedcorn]

I'm told salt. Asparagus is from sea water so it's imune to salt. Haven't done it yet but will try next year.

 

[momofdrew]

wont salt sour the soil??? I just mulch every year with composted manure and hoe or pull what slips up...some years I am really good with the weed control and other years not so good..I doesnt seem to bother the asparagas at all...

 

[seedcorn]

I'm sure salt will sour the soil but it's not like you move asparagus. My last bed was 20 years old and getting better every year. Unfortunately I needed to move the bed so I'm starting over. If this bed last 20 years, I probably won't care what happens year 25........

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

if you are worried about the soil having too much salt later if you ever stop using that patch for asparagus, just plant roses there! they love the salty conditions! i give a jolt of salt water mix to my roses once a year and they seem to thrive on it.

 

[catjac1975]

I would leave them-it will not do any harm. It will help you locate the plants in early spring for a light cultivation and mulching.