[Arid_gardener] Re: Asparagus in Austin MN Zone 4

[Olin Miller]

----- Original Message ----- From: <loelfke at austin.k12.mn.us>
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 7:09 AM
> Lea Oelfke 55912 loelfke at austin.k12.mn.us
> I am growing asperegas and it is in it's 5th year from seed.  The foliage
> is now about 5 feet tall and the berries are red.  Is it ok for me to cut
> donw the foliage at all right now (it hangs over a narrow walkway)?  I did
> read somewhere that you can cut it down in the fall to 2 inches before the
> berries fall off but it is mid July right now.  Also, what do you
> reccomend for fertilizer and when?
=============================================

The usual recommendation is to keep the fern growing  as vigorously
throughout the summer because it is storing energy to the roots essential to
spear production in the next season.  The fern should be allowed to go
completely dormant in th fall before removal.

Growing conditions in Austin, Minnesota,  Zone 4, are very different from
those in our Zone 9 Arizona desert.  I suggest contacting your local Mower
County extension, contact info at

http://www.extension.umn.edu/county/template/index.aspx?countyID=50

The university of Minnesota also has an informative publication about
growing asparagus at

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG1861.html

Olin Miller, Master Gardener Volunteer
U of A Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County AZ