what do you do 2nd year asparagus plants?
Answers:
Mulch!
Other answers:
Asparagus plants take three growing seasons to reach full production, although light harvesting can begin in the second year.
First year: Weed the beds frequently, taking care not to disturb roots. Periodically add more topsoil/compost around the emerging shoots until the trench is filled. Then spread a 4- to 8-inch layer of mulch, such as hay or leaves, around the base of the plants. Water regularly. Do not harvest any spears the first year. Cut down dead foliage in late fall and side-dress with compost.
Second year: Cultivate lightly by hand until the new spears are several inches tall. Keep the bed thickly mulched. Side-dress with compost in the spring and early fall. Cut down dead ferns in late fall. You may harvest very lightly the second year.
Third year and beyond: Maintain as for the second year, and begin harvesting.
Plants started from crowns can be harvested lightly in the spring of the second year. Begin harvesting in earnest the third year. Harvest only those spears that are thicker than a pencil. Cut off the spears at or just above ground level when they are 6 to 8 inches tall.
I love asparagus, and I wish you the best of luck with your bed of asparagus.
Asparagus plants take three growing seasons to reach full production, although light harvesting can begin in the second year.
First year: Weed the beds frequently, taking care not to disturb roots. Periodically add more topsoil/compost around the emerging shoots until the trench is filled. Then spread a 4- to 8-inch layer of mulch, such as hay or leaves, around the base of the plants. Water regularly. Do not harvest any spears the first year. Cut down dead foliage in late fall and side-dress with compost.
Second year: Cultivate lightly by hand until the new spears are several inches tall. Keep the bed thickly mulched. Side-dress with compost in the spring and early fall. Cut down dead ferns in late fall. You may harvest very lightly the second year.
Third year and beyond: Maintain as for the second year, and begin harvesting.
Plants started from crowns can be harvested lightly in the spring of the second year. Begin harvesting in earnest the third year. Harvest only those spears that are thicker than a pencil. Cut off the spears at or just above ground level when they are 6 to 8 inches tall.
I love asparagus, and I wish you the best of luck with your bed of asparagus.
After picking for the season for eating u let the plant grow so it will establish better roots which makes for a healthier plant and better picking the following year.
Leave it. Don't cut it for another year, or else it won't grow back. It turns into a fern-like plant at the females produce berries. From there on out, they grow by themselves. Next year, be sure to cut them right @ the ground, or else they will get diseases