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catherinet11

When to quit cutting asparagus?

catherinet
14 years ago

Hi all,

We used to stop cutting too soon in the season, so I'm cutting more now. But how do I know when to stop and let it grow?

Thanks

P.S. This is an old bed

Comments (13)

  • digdirt2
    14 years ago

    4 weeks is the usual time frame. Or until the majority of the new shoots are just pencil thick. The 4 week limit has always worked well for us with our old beds.

    Dave

  • laceyvail 6A, WV
    14 years ago

    I've always heard 6-8 weeks. I do 6.

  • catherinet
    Original Author
    14 years ago

    So the thinness of the stalks is a good indicator?
    If I have some that have come up from the start thin, does that mean that individual plant is struggling, and maybe I shouldn't cut those particular ones at all this year?

  • digdirt2
    14 years ago

    If I have some that have come up from the start thin, does that mean that individual plant is struggling, and maybe I shouldn't cut those particular ones at all this year?

    No, it just means it is a stalk from a newer part of the ever expanding crown. Just let any pencil-thin stalks go to fern and harvest only the thicker stalks. If you see nothing but pencil-thin stalks or a heavy majority of them feed the bed an extra feeding as that can be a signal that the bed is low on nutrients.

    Dave

  • catherinet
    Original Author
    14 years ago

    Thanks everyone!

  • skagit_goat_man_
    14 years ago

    I stop cutting spears when they start becomming less than 1/2" in diameter. In a 11 yr old bed this is about 7 weeks of cutting. Tom

  • catherinet
    Original Author
    14 years ago

    Thanks sakgit goat man,
    Okay here's another question, sort of the reverse. We have another bed that we planted 2 years ago. I heard that we shouldn't cut much from that bed until maybe next year. But this year, its putting out a bunch of really thick stalks.
    Does the thickness indicate that its doing so good that we should feel okay about cutting more of them?

  • catherinet
    Original Author
    14 years ago

    I'm bumping this up, since it went to the 2nd page. I'm hoping I'll get one more answer to my last question.
    Thanks!

  • hercules
    14 years ago

    Everyone I know follows the guidelines published by (among others) Jersey Asparagus Farms. They are:

    - 2 weeks the second season
    - 4 weeks the third season
    - 6 to 8 weeks the fourth and following years

    Additionally, cut everything larger than a pencil. When 3/4 of the emerging spears are smaller than this, stop. Harvesting in this manner actually encourages growth.

    This has worked nicely for me for 8 seasons, and the bed today is very, very productive.

    Hope this is helpful.

    Hal in PA

  • skagit_goat_man_
    14 years ago

    I cut everything 1/2" diameter or larger. The early years will not have a lot of these but nothing's hurt by cutting them. Since different crown spacing affects the spear size I'll note that mine are 12" oc. Tom

  • catherinet
    Original Author
    14 years ago

    Thanks hercules and skagit goat man!
    I really appreciate your help.

  • hercules
    14 years ago

    catherinet:

    You're quite welcome. It's always nice when a poster makes the effort to acknowledge those trying to help a little. So, thank you, too!

    Best wishes for a happy, healthy 'gus bed...hopefully for many years to come!

    Hal in PA

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