Can I do anything with Asparagus already 6' tall?

[Saltynuts]

I planted it years ago. It survived multiple freezes. And every spring it outruns me, growing before I can even get out to the garden. It is over 6' already. Can anything on it be eaten? Or should I just chop the whole thing off and let it grow from the ground again?

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[Chuck]

You should have eaten those tall things when they were about 6-8 inches tall. Those tall fronds make for more root growth and more sprouts next year. But if you look closely you can probably still find some new sprouts to harvest. I would let the large fronds grow and mow them down in the fall after they go dormant.

 

[Saltynuts]

Thank you Chuck. I'll see if I can find any short ones. Figured nothing could be done with the tall ones. Thanks!!!

 

[Oliver Buckle]

They look good in floral arrangements

 

[headfullofbees]

If you cut them right back, it may stimulate more to grow, if it's not too late.

 

[anargora]

Im really new to growing asparagus. Everything I see about planting & growing asparagus says to backfill as they grow. What happens if I dont?

 

[Meadowlark]

Im really new to growing asparagus. Everything I see about planting & growing asparagus says to backfill as they grow. What happens if I dont?

By backfill do you mean add nutrient rich compost? If so, you will prevent the rapid loss of nutrients that results when harvesting the shoots repeatedly.

If you fail to do that, your yields will steadily drop to finally almost nothing.

 

[anargora]

By backfill do you mean add nutrient rich compost? If so, you will prevent the rapid loss of nutrients that results when harvesting the shoots repeatedly.

If you fail to do that, your yields will steadily drop to finally almost nothing.

No, Every thing I seem to run in to about growing says when you first plant them says bury the crowns with 2 inches of soil or compost & fill (backfill) as they gow. I do know enough not to harvest at least until 2-3 seasons.

 

[Chuck]

No, Every thing I seem to run in to about growing says when you first plant them says bury the crowns with 2 inches of soil or compost & fill (backfill) as they gow. I do know enough not to harvest at least until 2-3 seasons.

I add about a half inch of compost each year but I wouldn't call that backfill

 

[anargora]

I add about a half inch of compost each year but I wouldn't call that backfill

At the begining of the season? Beyond that you just let them grow?, Is this what you done when you first planted them? sorry forr so many questions. Did you start with seeds or crowns? Thank yall for your replies.

 

[Esther Knapicius]

I planted it years ago. It survived multiple freezes. And every spring it outruns me, growing before I can even get out to the garden. It is over 6' already. Can anything on it be eaten? Or should I just chop the whole thing off and let it grow from the ground again?

Thanks for any suggestions!

Soup

 

[Chuck]

At the begining of the season? Beyond that you just let them grow?, Is this what you done when you first planted them? sorry forr so many questions. Did you start with seeds or crowns? Thank yall for your replies.

I started with crowns. Dug a few 1' deep trenches and filled them up with 50/50 compost and soil, then planted the crowns 2 or 3 inches deep. The following spring I added about 1/2"-1" compost with fertilizer before the spears started showing. I did the same thing year after year until I moved away. I always cut down the fronds after the first frost and they had browned out.

 

[plot22]

You cannot eat any of it. I have 2 asparagus beds side by side with a path down the middle. I always stop picking the second week of June and then I enclose both beds with 1 metre barrier netting to support them on windy days. Come November I cut it right back and cover the bed with well rotted farmyard manure. Usually start picking the 2nd week of April depending on the weather. A cold spell will knock it back a bit. My biggest problem is keeping it weed free throughout the picking season it's a nightmare.