Talk to me about caring for asparagus

[tayndrewsmama]

We have some wild asparagus on our land and I'd like to know if there's anything I can/should do to promote it's growth. I am sure it's been there for many years, but I know that no one's really known about it until recently. My dad loves it and the kids love to pick asparagus for Grandpa. Right now it's in some pretty tall grass. Should it be weeded out or left as it is? It gets full sun all day long too.

[HydeParkB]

Our cultivated aspargus died, so I am in no position to give advice! Normally asparagus shouldn't be in a weedy area, but it sounds like yours has survived so far.

I might let some of the stalks grow tall and flower. Then they'll produce more seeds and more asparagus. It takes about three years before a new asparagus plant is ready to be harvested. I think the stalks should be wider than a pencil, closer to pinkie finger size, before being harvested.

[tayndrewsmama]

Oh my! Judging by your sizing listed, these have probably been there for a REALLY long time. Usually the smallest ones are fatter than a crayola marker. I try to pick them before they get too wide. I have about three out there that are over four feet tall and seeding like crazy! Maybe the long grass is protecting it from the animals.

[lillian]

we have a cultivated asparagus patch - its on year 3 and we just started harvesting it this year. previously we just let it to go seed so that the patch became stronger.

but if yours is old, i dont really know what you can do, beside weeding, to get it to grow.

enjoy what you have!

[tayndrewsmama]

So, I guess I shouldn't really worry about it then, hey? Sounds like we are doing pretty good without even trying.

[Soundhunter]

This isnt likely relevant to your patch, but to anyone with a cultivated patch, a neat tip from a momma I know with the most beautiful flourishing asparagus patch I've ever seen - when her daughters pee in the potty she pours the pee in the asparagus patch, apparently they love the acidity or something or other in small splashes of urine.

[tayndrewsmama]

I found out that asparagus likes cooler weather. So, I think I will not cut the tall grasses. It's probably good that it shades it a little. Is it nearing the end of asparagus "season"?

I am sure my dh will get a kick out me telling him to go pee back by the asparagus. Ds hasn't got the hang of peeing by himself yet outside without peeing on himself. Poor guy.