what to do with Asparagus for winter.

[Collector]

what should we do with first year asparagus? We let the ferns grow all season, do we cut them off now or leave them on during the winter? Also does anybody cover with straw or leaves for the winter months? It can get Quite cold here!

 

[dickiebird]

I just cut it back and cover with compost. The compost seems to feed it and insulate. Always comes back strong.

THANX RICH

 

[lesa]

I don't cut them back until they are truly dead. Kind of yellow and falling over...I have never covered mine, but I am sure it wouldn't hurt.

 

[catjac1975]

I would leave the stalks and mulch with leaves. Thus will make cultivating in the spring easier.

 

[journey11]

Just a word of caution from me...cut the dead stalks, don't pull them up, no matter how loose they may look. I killed my FIL's new asparagus patch (10 years ago) by doing that. Thought I was helping with the weeding. He never forgave me.

 

[baymule]

This is good information. I have my asparagus in a big tub. We don't get a lot of freezing weather here, but I will carefully CUT them back, not PULL, and cover with compost. Thanks ya'll, been wondering about that!