Care of asparagus in the garden - Ask Extension
A number of asparagus plants are bent over following windy weather. Some of them have cracks along the stems. Is it better to stake them up, cut them...
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Care of asparagus in the garden #871767
Asked June 05, 2024, 4:27 PM EDT
A number of asparagus plants are bent over following windy weather. Some of them have cracks along the stems. Is it better to stake them up, cut them off, or leave them as is?
Thanks for your advice
Polk County Oregon
Expert Response
Dear gardener,
Thank you for writing to us about your asparagus. Asparagus bends over if there is any damage to one side of the plant such as tilling damage or chewing pests. The spears are safe to eat, but I would suggest trimming any damaged areas from the spears.
Check your plants for aphids, asparagus beetles, or perhaps another cause. Feel free to reply to this message if you find the culprit and we will be happy to advise you.
Thank you for writing to us about your asparagus. Asparagus bends over if there is any damage to one side of the plant such as tilling damage or chewing pests. The spears are safe to eat, but I would suggest trimming any damaged areas from the spears.
Check your plants for aphids, asparagus beetles, or perhaps another cause. Feel free to reply to this message if you find the culprit and we will be happy to advise you.
Thank you for your reply. I get the impression that you were writing about edible sprouts. That is not the problem that I have. I have maturing plants with ferns on them that have blown over in the wind. Since it is early in the season, I’m wondering if I should cut them off.
Thank you for your reply. I get the impression that you were writing about edible sprouts. That is not the problem that I have. I have maturing plants with ferns on them that have blown over in the wind. Since it is early in the season, I’m wondering if I should cut them off.
Hello again! My apologies: at this time of year we hear about lots of curled asparagus spears.
Asparagus is usually cut back after the foliage dies back and turns brown or yellow. This normally happens after the first frost. Cut the plants back to the soil surface and apply a couple of inches of mulch to help against deep freeze or changes in soil temperatures.
If the wind breaks a stalk, you can prune off the dead/dying/damaged portion and let the remainder of the stalk to grow on. As long as the stem and foliage are green, the plant can continue to photosynthesize and send energy to the roots.
I hope this helps!
Asparagus is usually cut back after the foliage dies back and turns brown or yellow. This normally happens after the first frost. Cut the plants back to the soil surface and apply a couple of inches of mulch to help against deep freeze or changes in soil temperatures.
If the wind breaks a stalk, you can prune off the dead/dying/damaged portion and let the remainder of the stalk to grow on. As long as the stem and foliage are green, the plant can continue to photosynthesize and send energy to the roots.
I hope this helps!
