Asparagus is a delicious perennial vegetable that every homestead should grow if given the opportunity.
It will provide the family with food for decades, as long as the asparagus is not out-competed.
As the plants grow older, the ferns grow bigger;
but what DO you do with those massive asparagus ferns?
Do you just leave them be?
Do you cut them?
If so, how do you know when to cut asparagus ferns back?
Asparagus Tips: When to Cut Asparagus Ferns
If you’re new to asparagus, you’re going to find out just how big those ferns can get! For those who are getting started with growing asparagus in containers, be prepared for plants that can grow to over 5 feet in height- most people don’t realize that those little spears turn into massive ferns, which are essential for producing and storing enough energy to produce a decent crop of spears the following year.
You should never cut living asparagus ferns, especially if you want to enjoy asparagus the following year. While cutting them early won’t eliminate the following year’s crop, it can significantly reduce it. Allow your ferns to grow wild until the very end of the growing season.
Has the First Frost Arrived?
At first frost, many plants die back; asparagus may linger for a bit before dying back. If you’ve had a killing frost, you could go ahead and prune back the dead plants if you’d like. However, it truly isn’t necessary. Those plants will also have berries with fertile seeds inside, which if allowed to rest in place, the berries will drop from the plants spreading new seeds across the bed. As spring approaches, these berries will rot, and the seeds will sprout into tiny, young asparagus seedlings. Allowing the plant to reseed itself will significantly increase the chances of survival within the bed if something should happen to your asparagus plot. Asparagus is one of our top crops for lazy perennial homesteading, because it’s so hardy- while you likely won’t experience an issue with your bed, us homesteaders know better than to eliminate a built-in insurance policy (reseeding itself.)
How to Prune Asparagus Ferns in Fall
Once the ferns have faded, grasp the plant and find where the stalk meets the ground. Try to prune the stalk at ground level, and be sure that the root is covered generously with dirt. You do not want the root exposed to winter weather; instead, you want it insulated and warm. With each cut, be sure the roots are not exposed.
Thinning and Pruning Crowded Asparagus Plants
If you’re needing to thin your asparagus plants because they’re struggling to thrive, then that’s a good reason to prune mid-season. Try to prune any sickly looking plants, while maintaining the biggest, strongest plants in the bed. Remove the smallest plants (aside from a very select few) and the seedlings from the bed. Once the bed is thinned out, airflow should keep the plants fungus-free. Sunlight should be able to filter down to each plant, so that they don’t starve themselves of energy rather than store it.
Can You Use the Asparagus Plants as Mulch? They’re Great for It!
If you’re preparing to remove a bunch of dead asparagus plants, you might want to consider mulching them before you burn them or add them to the compost pile!
Old, dead asparagus ferns can be broken down into smaller pieces, and used as mulch on the bed they grew from. They will return nutrients back to the soil, while also protecting the root systems that lay underground. Before you add a second layer of mulch, break down all of the asparagus ferns over the bed. Then, add another layer of wood chips, straw, hay, or any other mulch that you’d like to use.
Do Asparagus Ferns Grow Bigger and Thicker Every Year?
With each passing year, you’ll notice that you have more and more work to do when it comes to taking down the dead ferns. As the root systems grow stronger, the ferns will grow bigger. In addition, bigger root systems (especially in beds with several roots) will produce more and more ferns. This equals a thicker, taller, bigger bed with each successful growing season. Be prepared for lots of pruning and mulching!
Check out the below video for one way of preparing your asparagus beds for spring:
This is so helpful! My asparagus are planted in a low lying spot and haven’t really ‘grown’ much the last two years. I’m going to try to move them this winter to a better spot and just hope they don’t die in the process!
I’m sure you’ll be able to get them moved! Especially while dormant! I quickly figured out this was an issue for many, many plants; especially blueberries. I would try moving them shortly after they die back, that way they’re in and cozy before extremely cold weather hits. I’m sure they’ll do great for you!