Friday, June 17, 2011

tied up asparagus

aspargus 008

I was asked about how I "tired up" my asparagus. Here's a picture. A couple wood posts and some string around the edge of the patch. As I look at other asparagus patches, they seem to stand up better on their own than mine. Mine flops over onto the broccoli. Maybe because its young (3 years old). This does the trick. I'll remember to bring some fertilizer to it tomorrow. And I suppose it could use a couple inches of compost layered on top. Please let me know any advice for growing asparagus.

9 comments:

Mark Willis said...

I do exactly the same thing with my Asparagus. I have just stopped cropping it for this year, and the fern is beginning to fill-out. I will support mine with posts and string just like you have done. Also, I have just applied some general-purpose feriliser. Hopefully we are doing it right!
Roughly how many spears did you get from your patch?

Karla said...

Thank you for posting this. I am just starting roots this year and some of my fern heads have broken because of being flopped over. I will stake them up today.

kathy said...

I got about 10 very thin spears. I dinner. I'd really like more next year.

Gary said...

I started mine this year, 5 in 3 came up, I used Steer Manure Compost to grow in. I grew up in IA and my dad always used cow manure in the fall after every thing had dried up. We had lots to eat in the season, I don't remember if mom canned any of it.

Janet B said...

I'm glad you posted this. I also have 3 year old plants and was wondering if I should just let them flail about. I'll tie them up, fertilize them and let them do their thing. Thanks

Martin and Amy said...

Well done. I really need to grow asparagus, it is so delicious!

Martin :0)

mediaOrganic said...

We do exactly the same thing with posts and string. This is our fourth season (Jersey Giant) and the ferns are about seven feet tall following a very nice harvest. In the late fall, after the ferns have died and you have cut them back, lay down a nice thick layer of composted manure. In the early spring supplement with some organic fertilizer.

kathy said...

Thanks for the advice!!

Leslie said...

Kathy, My bed is probably 12 years old. It has thrived from a good weeding after Father's Day followed by a 40 pound bag of composted cow per 8 plants, followed by a straw mulch. Your youngsters look nice and healthy.