Hi Tui, I bought some asparagus crowns last season, and they are still growing flat out putting up new shoots in July, there is no sign of the die back. Should I trim them back and will this effect next years crop if I do?

Hi Ross,

We have been very lucky with the autumn we have had and plants have continued to grow, however with the cold wet weather that we are experiencing now, plant growth will stop or slow down. Asparagus are a long term crop and are best left to go to fern for the first couple of years so that the crown has time to establish. Leave the fern on your plants, you can trim back the tops but do not remove the whole fern for two seasons. Start harvesting shoots in the third season and be sure to leave enough fern to grow at the end of the season. Keep the patch weed free and feed your asparagus during the growing season with Tui Novatec or Tui Vegetable Food.

Regards, 

The Tui Team