8 Asparagus Growing Mistakes to Avoid this Season

Skip the Weeding. One of the biggest mistakes you can make, when raising asparagus, is allow weeds to move into your garden beds. ...
Plant Asparagus Crowns Shallow. ...
Skip Watering and Mulching. ...
Plant Asparagus Crowns Incorrectly. ...
Plant in the Shade. ...
Ignore Pests and Diseases. ...
Harvest the First Year. ...
Harvest the Asparagus Wrong.

Why is my asparagus not growing?
Why can't you eat asparagus the first year?
What causes spindly asparagus?
When should you stop cutting asparagus?
What happens if you don't cut asparagus?
Why are my asparagus spears so thin?
Does asparagus spread on its own?
Does asparagus multiply?
What's the benefits of eating asparagus?
Are coffee grounds good for asparagus?
Why is my asparagus thin and spindly?
What is best fertilizer for asparagus?

Why is my asparagus not growing?

If the roots are mostly flat, then the plant probably will not grow (it is already dead). Sometimes the crown is even already sending up a miniature asparagus less than 1/8 inch in diameter. Now that would be an excellent root to buy.

Why can't you eat asparagus the first year?

To keep your asparagus bed productive, don't be greedy. The first year after planting, you can harvest a few spears from each plant. ... Pick too much, and your plants will not be able to develop the strong root system and energy reserves they'll need to produce an abundant crop of spears the following season.

What causes spindly asparagus?

The causes of weak and spindly asparagus spears and low yields are usually cultural. It indicates that the root system has been weakened from: Over-harvesting; such as cutting spears for more than 6-8 weeks in a season. This leads to a lack of mature "ferns" which are necessary to replenish the root system.

When should you stop cutting asparagus?

Simply cut or snap off the spears at ground level. Continue harvesting for six to eight weeks, but no later than July 1. If you notice decreased production and vigor in your asparagus plants, stop harvesting and let the plant store energy for next season.

What happens if you don't cut asparagus?

If they don't, asparagus beetles will lay their eggs in those ferns. Since the length of harvest season will vary from year-to-year depending on air temperature, harvesting should be stopped when the diameter of 75% of the spears becomes small (less than 3/8 inches). Another indicator is the number of spears harvested.

Why are my asparagus spears so thin?

Thin asparagus spears appear for a number of reasons, but the root cause is ultimately the same: the asparagus crown lacks the rigor to create bigger shoots. ... Improper Feeding – Asparagus are somewhat heavy feeders and need all the food they can get in order to build strong spears the following year.

Does asparagus spread on its own?

Asparagus also needs space, about 4 to 5 feet for each plant. They won't spread out much the first couple of years, but once established they will quickly fill in. ... Unlike many plants, the roots of asparagus crowns can withstand some air exposure, and you will usually find them for sale loose.

Does asparagus multiply?

Asparagus plants are long-lived and vigorous. When asparagus plants are growing in a sunny site with good drainage, proper irrigation, and adequate nutrients, the plants multiply and become crowded over time. A mature stand of asparagus plants produces spears over several weeks, and even up to eight weeks.

What's the benefits of eating asparagus?

This giant veggie is one of the most nutritionally well-balanced vegetables -- high in folic acid and a good source of potassium, fiber, thiamin, and vitamins A, B6, and C. A 5-ounce serving provides 60% of the RDA for folic acid and is low in calories.

Are coffee grounds good for asparagus?

Asparagus prefers a soil pH between 6.5 and 7, which is mildly acidic. Coffee grounds can run 5 or less on the pH scale by themselves. ... The grounds also add some nitrogen, which is a regular nutrition need of asparagus.

Why is my asparagus thin and spindly?

Plants are weak and spindly; few spears. Harvest was too early or too heavy. Plants must be allowed to store food for the next season before they go dormant. Asparagus should be picked the first year it is planted; the second year harvest for two weeks and the next year for 4 weeks.

What is best fertilizer for asparagus?

Asparagus can be fertilized in early spring before the spears emerge. An application of 1 to 1.5 pounds of an all-purpose garden fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, per 100 square feet should be adequate. Asparagus can also be fertilized after the last harvest in June. Using a nitrogen fertilizer, apply .