Asparagus

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Asparagus

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Guest

Posted: Sun Apr 17, 05 9:15 pm Post subject: Asparagus
My plants are in their second year and starting to show some thick new stems. I want to sample some, but how do I know if it's safe to take a stem or two - should I be reassured by the admirable girth of these stems? Also, how do I cut the stuff? I saw some mention of cutting it beneath the surface of the soil, but how do you do that without damaging roots, etc?

Foghorn

Joined: 23 Nov 2004
Posts: 49
Location: Barcombe, E Sussex

Posted: Sun Apr 17, 05 10:14 pm Post subject:
Sorry, that should have been posted under my profile

nettie

Joined: 02 Dec 2004
Posts: 5888
Location: Suffolk

Posted: Sun Apr 17, 05 10:18 pm Post subject:
Hiya, I believe it's OK to take a handful or two in the second year (I did it last year with mine and have loads of shoots this year) although make sure you leave plenty to turn into fern. You do cut them just below ground level - it should be fine if the crowns were earthed up in the last couple of weeks or so.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Mon Apr 18, 05 6:10 am Post subject:

One or two spears from a healthy plant shouldn't do much harm but some books do recommend leaving them alone.

If I was planting a second bed I would leave them but we did pick a few from our new bed last year and the plants look ok. As Nettie says, make sure you leave plenty of shoots to grow on to feed the crowns.

Make sure you don't damage the crowns or other spears when havesting and most of all enjoy it fresh or just lightly cooked.

Foghorn

Joined: 23 Nov 2004
Posts: 49
Location: Barcombe, E Sussex

Posted: Mon Apr 18, 05 7:57 pm Post subject:
Thanks, feathered friends

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