Hey everyone! I've got a 3-year-old asparagus plant in a raised bed in Oxfordshire, and I'm starting to get worried. Last year at this time, I was already seeing some spears, but this year there's absolutely nothing. Is this normal? Should I be concerned? I'm new to growing asparagus, so any advice would really help!
2 Answers
Don’t stress too much! I have a 3-year-old asparagus bed too, and just last week I had only one spear popping up. I put down some thick Strulch over the winter, and it might have been insulating the soil too well, preventing it from warming up quickly. After removing the mulch from above the crowns, I suddenly noticed a bunch of new spears starting to appear! If you mulched, maybe consider lightening it a bit above the crowns to let the warmth in.
I just planted some bare root asparagus myself, and I know it’s a waiting game. For long-term care, the main thing I do is cut it down in the fall once the stems die off, and then I add some mulch for protection. It sounds like you’re in for the long haul, but you’ll get those delicious spears eventually!