If you haven’t removed last year’s growth from asparagus plants, now is the time. Old growth can be removed from the site and discarded or composted. Another option is to mow the asparagus patch. Burning can also be used but only if it is safe and legal to do so. A light tilling (or hoeing) that is shallow enough to avoid the crowns may help work in the old growth into the soil as well as control weeds.
Asparagus comes up around early April in Manhattan but will be earlier in southern Kansas and a bit later further north.
Asparagus benefits from a fertilizer application after harvest but not now. Fertilize according to a soil test or add 1 to 2 pounds of a 10-20-10 or 11-15-11 fertilizer per 20 feet of row immediately after harvest. If a soil test shows that only nitrogen is needed, apply1 pound of a 16-0-0 product or ½ pound of a 30-4-5, 27-3-3 or similar fertilizer per 20 feet of row. Most of these high nitrogen fertilizers are lawn fertilizers but will work well for this purpose if they do not contain a weed preventer or weed killer. The fertilizer should be watered in with 1/4 inch of water. (Ward Upham)
Asparagus comes up around early April in Manhattan but will be earlier in southern Kansas and a bit later further north.
Asparagus benefits from a fertilizer application after harvest but not now. Fertilize according to a soil test or add 1 to 2 pounds of a 10-20-10 or 11-15-11 fertilizer per 20 feet of row immediately after harvest. If a soil test shows that only nitrogen is needed, apply1 pound of a 16-0-0 product or ½ pound of a 30-4-5, 27-3-3 or similar fertilizer per 20 feet of row. Most of these high nitrogen fertilizers are lawn fertilizers but will work well for this purpose if they do not contain a weed preventer or weed killer. The fertilizer should be watered in with 1/4 inch of water. (Ward Upham)
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