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Fri, Sep 14, 12 at 13:50
| I put in my first asparagus last spring. I bought all male plants from Nourse nursery. A gardening friend came over and said that some were actually female and I should pull them out.
How do I tell which are female and should I still try to pull them out now (September)? Should I complain to the nursery since they were supposedly sending me all-male plants? thanks for advice |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| The female plants will develop berries on them. Some pull them and some don't. It is basically a personal choice issue. Since they don't normally produce as large of spears as the males and they are said to be more attractive to pests if you want a top quality bed then pull them. But what they do produce is fine for eating too so keep them if you have the room. The vendors cannot guarantee all males as some females can slide into the mix. Some vendors will replace the female plants, some won't. It can't hurt to call them and see what their policy is but personally I wouldn't make too big a case out of it as to a degree it is beyond even the most reputable vendors ability to control completely. Dave |
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- Posted by wally-1936 Richmond Tx (My Page) on Fri, Sep 14, 12 at 15:45
| If you are going to pull the females I for one would find a place along the road to put them and let them fend for themselves in the hopes they will continue to produce more plants. When I lived in Michigan as well as Colorado they grew wild along the open areas. We took turns harvesting them so other families would also harvest for their family. I just would not throw them away without trying to see if they can go wild. |
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| The males are favored because they are more productive. The females will do no harm. Eliminating them will not increase yield. Jim |
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| Thank you all! I will try moving them to the side of the driveway. |
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