Incorporating compost into an established asparagus beds

Joined
Dec 1, 2020
Messages
181
Reaction score
38
Location
Southeast Coastal Georgia
Hardiness Zone
8b
Country
United States
My asparagus bed has been growing for about 3 years. I would like add compost to the beds this spring. How do I do that without disturbing the roots? Can I lay the compost on top of the bed and water it in? What's the best way to do this?
 
Joined
Feb 2, 2014
Messages
11,476
Reaction score
5,580
Location
La Porte Texas
Hardiness Zone
8b
Country
United States
My asparagus bed has been growing for about 3 years. I would like add compost to the beds this spring. How do I do that without disturbing the roots? Can I lay the compost on top of the bed and water it in? What's the best way to do this?
After your plants have browned and been removed just throw it on in copious amounts. If you live where it doesn't get cold enough for the plants to brown cut the plants down about the first of the year and do it then. Do it before the new shoots begin to emerge.
 
Joined
Dec 1, 2020
Messages
181
Reaction score
38
Location
Southeast Coastal Georgia
Hardiness Zone
8b
Country
United States
Thank you. They typically haven't browned in winter here in zone 8b. Of course, every winter is different, but if I can cut them down in January and then put the compost on top of the soil, that would be great. Thanks, again
 
Joined
Feb 2, 2014
Messages
11,476
Reaction score
5,580
Location
La Porte Texas
Hardiness Zone
8b
Country
United States
Thank you. They typically haven't browned in winter here in zone 8b. Of course, every winter is different, but if I can cut them down in January and then put the compost on top of the soil, that would be great. Thanks, again
You can cut them down now if you like but I always waited as long as possible, probably just procrastinating. Even In our zone of 8b winter really slows down the sugar making capabilities of the ferns so there really isn't much to gain by waiting until the first of the year. And it will give the compost that much longer to do its magic.
 
Joined
Dec 1, 2020
Messages
181
Reaction score
38
Location
Southeast Coastal Georgia
Hardiness Zone
8b
Country
United States
OK, so I cut back the asparagus plants, added compost and now wondering how thick a layer of hay to mulch them is recommended? I'm in Southeast Coastal Georgia where we occasionally have freezing weather. Yesterday and this morning were 33 degrees.
 
Joined
Feb 2, 2014
Messages
11,476
Reaction score
5,580
Location
La Porte Texas
Hardiness Zone
8b
Country
United States
OK, so I cut back the asparagus plants, added compost and now wondering how thick a layer of hay to mulch them is recommended? I'm in Southeast Coastal Georgia where we occasionally have freezing weather. Yesterday and this morning were 33 degrees.
Mulch is mainly used for water retention, weed prevention and to help in soil temperature control. Your cold temps. will not damage the root system of your asparagus. Adding mulch is nice but not required. I would put no more than 3 or 4 inches and about once every 2 weeks I would wet it down with diluted molasses, 2 oz per gallon of water.
 
Joined
Feb 2, 2014
Messages
11,476
Reaction score
5,580
Location
La Porte Texas
Hardiness Zone
8b
Country
United States
What does the molasses do for the plants?
Molasses doesn't do anything for plants. Molasses is one of the best food sources for soil micro-organisms, the same organisms that break down organic matter in your soil. The same organisms that make nutrients available to your plants. Molasses when applied to substances like hay makes it decompose faster, turning the mulch into compost faster than just letting it sit on the soil surface. You cannot have too many of these fungal and bacterial organisms in your soil and molasses greatly enhances their numbers.
 
Joined
Feb 2, 2014
Messages
11,476
Reaction score
5,580
Location
La Porte Texas
Hardiness Zone
8b
Country
United States
What kind of molasses? Can it be what's commercially sold in grocery stores, or is there a different form for gardens? Blackstrap?
You can use the food grade molasses but it costs a lot more. Also, there is sulfured and non-sulfured molasses. The sulfured molasses is mainly used as a cattle feed supplement and is the cheapest. Horticultural molasses does not have sulfur added. Most if not all real nurseries will have molasses or they can easily get it. I buy it by the gallon and it cost about $12. The brand name I use is by Medina.
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
26,591
Messages
256,662
Members
13,264
Latest member
Ann

Latest Threads

Top