Asparagus Plant Care After Cutting

From June until fall, asparagus plants should be producing and storing food that will influence the quantity and quality of the shoots to be produced next spring. Asparagus is native to the eastern Mediterranean area where it has been under cultivation for more than 2,000 years. It was a highly prized food of the Greeks and Romans, and directions, for its culture date back to 200 B.C. They are little different from directions we use for growing it today. Asparagus was brought into American gardens by the first European settlers and has been an important perennial vegetable since.

A decline in production, or a crop with a large number of small, thin spears may be the result of several cultural problems. It may be a sign of low fertility, or of overcutting during the previous season. Although asparagus is seldom damaged by winter conditions, an abrupt decline in beds can indicates that in some gardens severe winter temperatures may damage larger roots and reduce the production of large spears. Another influence on spear production is the sex of the plant. Asparagus has both male and female plants.

Male plants normally produce more spears that are smaller, while female plants produce fewer spears which are larger. There is no way to determine the sex of these plants until they become large enough to flower. The female plants are those that produce the red berries when they mature. If an asparagus bed has not produced well, it may need to be redeveloped and given time to increase vigor before a large harvest can be made.

Asparagus may be fertilized either before cutting begins in the spring, or after the cutting season has ended. If an earlier fertilization was not done, a prompt application of either a 5-10-10 or 12-12-12 might be used at a rate of about two pounds per 100 square feet of bed area. Since vigorous growth of the tops, or "ferns" is important at this time of year, good weed control is also important. In the small home planting, hand weed control is often safest and best. Herbicides are sometimes used in large plantings.

Salt was once commonly used for weed killing since asparagus is salt tolerant, but prolonged use leads to deterioration of the physical properties of the soil and reduction in growth. Asparagus beetle is the most common insect pest of asparagus and should be kept under control for maximum growth. Either malathion, methoxychlor or carbaryl (Sevin) may be used for its control. Apply any of these materials carefully according to label directions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asparagus