Well, I have a 4x8 bed lined with hardware cloth and am overwhelmed with gus right now!
We planted our first about 5-6 years ago, then added some more when a couple failed. They weren't planted the 12-18" that was advised, but with adding soil and compost each year as things settled, things are going fine!
Now, I'm sure we didn't get the same variety, I wasn't paying attention at the time, but I've had no problems.
We apparently got some females in one of the batches, cause we get some bright red berries in the fall and get a few "babies" here and there. But it doesn't concern me! Asparagus is asparagus! Yum!
Others might be more picky! Nancy

Great, thanks for the advice!

My best guess would be it depends on the size of the openings on the hardware cloth. I dug out my bed and lined them with a standard chicken wire and the asparagus are doing fine. I really regret not putting mesh under the ones I started from seed as I later learned gophers like asparagus roots. Mine are planted 12 inches away from each other in each direction, mainly as this is what I had to work with in their permanent bed.

I've had an asparagus bed for about 5 years without any mesh on the bottom. We don't get gophers here in New England but I'm wondering if any other critters like asparagus roots, because we are constructing new beds this week and debating whether to add hardware cloth.

I add hardware cloth to any new bed (NOT chicken wire! It's holes are too big and it rots after a couple of years!) due to our gopher problems!
Anywhere you live, I would ask some neighbors or the extension office what to expect for your area. Gophers, moles, voles, rabbits, groundhogs etc.. I would especially go with the neighbors, cause while I have never seen a rabbit wild in this area, 5 miles away they run rampant! Nancy

Thanks again, Nancy! You are a wealth of information today! :-)