Keeping Weeds Down in Asparagus?

[iplumb]

How do you guys keep the weeds down in your Asparagus patch? Mulch, Salt, Herbicide? What do you use? Any tricks are REALLY appreciated. :thumbsup:

 

[grnspot110]

Mulch! Leaves, aged sawdust, straw, etc.

 

[iplumb]

Mulch! Leaves, aged sawdust, straw, etc.

If you mulch do you have to wait until they are up? This is only the 2nd yr for my crowns so I'm hoping to see them again this spring :thumbsup:

 

[BATTY54]

One of the Eastern Universities had an article on asparagus growing. They claimed salt marsh hay was the best mulch as the weed seeds needed to be in saltwater to germinate. The small amount of sea salt residue from the mulch was good for the asparagus roots because they were originally a native beach grass.

 

[Marty38]

One of the Eastern Universities had an article on asparagus growing. They claimed salt marsh hay was the best mulch as the weed seeds needed to be in saltwater to germinate. The small amount of sea salt residue from the mulch was good for the asparagus roots because they were originally a native beach grass.

I second the salt marsh hay. I'm in my 7th year and the asparagus is better every year. Unfortunately they've been treating the saltmarsh hay in my neck of the woods, for invasive non native species.

 

[iplumb]

Salt marsh hay? Never even heard of it. Wonder if it available around here?

 

[jimmyj]

I doubt it is available where you are, I thought it was a coastal thing.

Anyhow, mulch is the answer like the fellas all said. We just use compost or grass clippings or straw.

 

[dragon7]

I use old newspaper in the spring and after it comes up another layer of newspaper. When it get up 6 inches I add a good layer of straw and fertilizer 6-26-26.

 

[jimmyj]

Shredded paper or in sheets? If sheets how thick?

 

[grnspot110]

If you mulch do you have to wait until they are up? This is only the 2nd yr for my crowns so I'm hoping to see them again this spring :thumbsup:

Loose mulch can go on anytime! I prefer to cover in the Winter, then more in the Spring, if needed. ~~ grnspot

 

[Western]

Loose mulch can go on anytime! I prefer to cover in the Winter, then more in the Spring, if needed. ~~ grnspot

That's all we did and an occasional bit of straw or hay, just enough to help keep the weeds down

 

[lilranch2001]

I know this is an old thread, but I was just out cutting asparagus and pulling weeds, and figured I would check to see what ya'll had to say about it.
My asparagus patch isn't very large, but it is about 20 years old now.
My boss is from NJ and back when he was young his grandfather grew a truck farm.
He said they used salt march hay as well.
My ex father in law salted his.
I haven't done anything but try to pull weeds, but it gets old........

Nothing like fresh asparagus eaten as it is cut tho!

 

[CalG]

First thumbs are just pushing up, "can hardly wait, we put in a row of 20 "purples" two years ago to add some color.
weeds? Mulch and hand pull the tall stuff.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

My boss is from NJ and back when he was young his grandfather grew a truck farm.
He said they used salt march hay as well.
My ex father in law salted his.
I haven't done anything but try to pull weeds, but it gets old........

Nothing like fresh asparagus eaten as it is cut tho!

What the heck is "salt march hay"??

SR

 

[lilranch2001]

What the heck is "salt march hay"??

SR

I cannot type, it should be salt MARSH

 

[Sawyer Rob]

lol OK, I do know what that is... lol

We also use salt on ours...

SR

 

[lilranch2001]

First thumbs are just pushing up, "can hardly wait, we put in a row of 20 "purples" two years ago to add some color.
weeds? Mulch and hand pull the tall stuff.

I have been harvesting for almost 3 weeks now
Been an unusually warm spring here tho