Hey everyone! Last year I planted six asparagus crowns in a no-till bed which worked out really well. Unfortunately, I got a bit lazy in the fall, and Bermuda grass took over the entire bed. Now it's early spring and the grass is still dormant but it's really thick. I'm looking for advice on the best way to eradicate this grass while keeping my asparagus safe. In the past, I've used cardboard and mulch to smother the grass, but I'm concerned this method might harm my asparagus as well. Any suggestions?
5 Answers
Manual removal is probably your best bet. Just keep pulling out the grass whenever you see it and stay on top of it. It's a hassle, but it works!
Check the depths of your asparagus roots. If they're deep enough, you can remove grass from the top soil without disturbing them. Just make sure you’re careful when you’re digging around—destroying those roots can set your asparagus back!
Consider planting strawberries as a ground cover around your asparagus—it's not an immediate fix for the Bermuda grass, but it'll help in the long run. As the asparagus grows bigger, it will naturally block light from getting to the grass too, which helps suppress it.
You might try cutting holes in cardboard and mulch for the asparagus to grow through. That way you're still blocking the light for the grass without completely smothering your plants. Just be cautious for the first year since the asparagus isn't fully established yet.
Bermuda grass can be super stubborn. I wouldn't recommend using chemicals, but you could try to pull it out as thoroughly as you can and keep an eye on it to catch any regrowth early. It's tedious, but it might be your best option!
That’s a great idea! I’ll definitely look into adding strawberries for the future.