Agriculture

[cozmik_cowboy]

Last year I put in a 10' bed of asparagus.
Well, yesterday we brought in our first harvest; guess I'd better join the Grange.....


Peter

[lbpesq]

Do you have the genetic marker?

Bill, tgo

[growlypants]

That oughta last ya'!  (It certainly would, ME!)

[keith_h]

I was brought up that you don't harvest the first year, harvest sparingly the second and it isn't until the third year you will be able to start getting a useful amount of asparagus.

[pauldo]

I was brought up that you don't harvest the first year, harvest sparingly the second and it isn't until the third year you will be able to start getting a useful amount of asparagus.

Yes.  We have a big group of wild asparagus on our fence line - then there is the stuff we intentionally planted - this is year 3.  Hoping for a big harvest.

[cozmik_cowboy]

I was brought up that you don't harvest the first year, harvest sparingly the second and it isn't until the third year you will be able to start getting a useful amount of asparagus.

Likewise.  Planted early last year, and got a number of spears, which I let go.  But does that count as year 1?  Or does it have to go through a winter to count?

Peter

[StefanieJones]

Wish we had the room for asparagus!  But we do for a row of potatoes. And they're in the ground.

[edwardofhuncote]

I was talkin' gardenin' with my buddy and mentor Ward Elliott the other evening. Shoot. We can't even grow good mud-holes on this mountainside... and even iff'n I did, sumfin' else would surely eat it before I could.   


FWIW, he has a fine-looking garden up in Floyd Co. Virginia. Bottomland from the Little River, runs right through.

[keith_h]

I was brought up that you don't harvest the first year, harvest sparingly the second and it isn't until the third year you will be able to start getting a useful amount of asparagus.

Likewise.  Planted early last year, and got a number of spears, which I let go.  But does that count as year 1?  Or does it have to go through a winter to count?

Peter

I consider it has to go through a winter but never thought about it. To me the test would be what the bed looks like next spring. If it is not improved then something is wrong with the bed.

One question. You did keep the bed well weeded? Asparagus does not compete well with weeds and grasses in the same bed.

[cozmik_cowboy]

I was brought up that you don't harvest the first year, harvest sparingly the second and it isn't until the third year you will be able to start getting a useful amount of asparagus.

Likewise.  Planted early last year, and got a number of spears, which I let go.  But does that count as year 1?  Or does it have to go through a winter to count?

Peter

I consider it has to go through a winter but never thought about it. To me the test would be what the bed looks like next spring. If it is not improved then something is wrong with the bed.

One question. You did keep the bed well weeded? Asparagus does not compete well with weeds and grasses in the same bed.

Yes; it needs it again right now, but I have kept it pretty much clear of other vegetation.

Peter

[keith_h]

I was brought up that you don't harvest the first year, harvest sparingly the second and it isn't until the third year you will be able to start getting a useful amount of asparagus.

Likewise.  Planted early last year, and got a number of spears, which I let go.  But does that count as year 1?  Or does it have to go through a winter to count?

Peter

I consider it has to go through a winter but never thought about it. To me the test would be what the bed looks like next spring. If it is not improved then something is wrong with the bed.

One question. You did keep the bed well weeded? Asparagus does not compete well with weeds and grasses in the same bed.

Yes; it needs it again right now, but I have kept it pretty much clear of other vegetation.

Peter

If all else fails there is always the cooperative extension service. Don't know about Illinois but here in NC in addition to the service agents they partner with master gardeners and either one will schedule free onsite advice within their specialties. It might be too remedial for you but about 20 minutes into this video they talk about asparagus.

 https://video.unctv.org/video/almanac-gardener-karen-neill-gardening-in-the-shade/