|
Sun, Feb 10, 13 at 12:07
| Usually by now it has been wet enough my brown asparagus tops remove easily, just with a little tug. But now it looks like I'm going to have to crawl around and cut them off one by one. Should I just wait? |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
- Posted by soonergrandmom Z6 Grove (My Page) on Sun, Feb 10, 13 at 18:08
| I cut mine in the Fall, then cover the bed with leaves until the weather warms in the early Spring. If they are still attached, I would cut them now. Mine always have seeds in the Fall and I don't want those to drop and sprout in the bed. |
|
- Posted by bettycbowen 7 (My Page) on Sun, Feb 10, 13 at 18:13
| Thanks, I started cutting today. I've always left them through most of winter, like my father did. I don't mind the seeds because some of my best clumps originated tht way. Next fall ill try cutting sooner. After the monarchs are gone. |
|
- Posted by mulberryknob z6OK (My Page) on Sun, Feb 10, 13 at 23:18
| The main reason for leaving the tops over the winter is to act as a mulch to protect the roots. Like Carol we have already cut ours because we have a permanent mulch of wood chips. One of the reasons to mulch well is to keep the soil from warming up too quickly. Sometimes 2-3 inch asparagus spears can get caught in a late freeze and you lose quite a bit of the harvest. So if you have bare dirt, it would be good to put a mulch on. Better not to leave the tops too long, though. I have several times seen a new sprout come up right through the hollow dead stem of last year and if it is still there, it can impede the new stem. |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Oklahoma Gardening Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.