crooked asparagus - Ask Extension
My asparagus bed is producing crooked and irregular texture spears. And the bed is producing less each year.
Knowledgebase
crooked asparagus #870397
Asked May 28, 2024, 11:36 AM EDT
My asparagus bed is producing crooked and irregular texture spears. And the bed is producing less each year.
Marion County Oregon
Expert Response
Dear Barbara,
Thank you for contacting us about your asparagus. Crooked spears can be caused by several factors, but all involve injury to the stalk. The non-injured side of the spear will grow faster causing it to curve and bend toward the injured side.
Injury to the spear may be caused by asparagus beetles, stones in the soil (injuring the plant as it emerges), or harvesting damage. It is also possible for windborne soil particles to damage one side of the spear.
In Oregon, watch for asparagus beetles in spring just before the asparagus harvest begins. The red adults can be dropped into a cup of soapy water. Dark brown egg masses can be scraped off the spears. Here are some photos showing the beetles at different stages in their life cycle:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/asparagus-beetles-vegetables/
I hope this information is helpful. Please write again anytime you have gardening questions.
Thank you for contacting us about your asparagus. Crooked spears can be caused by several factors, but all involve injury to the stalk. The non-injured side of the spear will grow faster causing it to curve and bend toward the injured side.
Injury to the spear may be caused by asparagus beetles, stones in the soil (injuring the plant as it emerges), or harvesting damage. It is also possible for windborne soil particles to damage one side of the spear.
In Oregon, watch for asparagus beetles in spring just before the asparagus harvest begins. The red adults can be dropped into a cup of soapy water. Dark brown egg masses can be scraped off the spears. Here are some photos showing the beetles at different stages in their life cycle:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/asparagus-beetles-vegetables/
I hope this information is helpful. Please write again anytime you have gardening questions.
