Asparagus is a perennial, resilient crop that produces early in the growing season and can produce for 15 years or longer. Once established, asparagus is fairly low-maintenance, other than keeping the area weed-free and watering, but what about dead asparagus plants in winter? Does asparagus need winter protection?
Does asparagus need winter protection?
In temperate climates, asparagus root crowns do not require special winter care, but in cooler regions, asparagus beds should be overwintered. Preparing your asparagus beds for winter will protect the roots from the cold and encourage the plants to go into dormancy, giving the plant a rest period before the next growth phase in the spring.
Asparagus plants in winter
In the fall, asparagus leaves begin to turn yellow and die off naturally. At this point, cut off the brown stems at the base of the plant. If you live in a warm climate, asparagus may not die completely. However, the pike was cut off in late autumn. This forces the plant to enter a dormant state, which is a period of rest that is necessary before it can actively grow and reproduce. Also, if you live in a temperate climate, no further winter care for asparagus is required, but those who live in cooler areas need to start preparing asparagus for winter.
If you’re feeling lucky or lazy, you can choose to pray for enough snow cover to protect the crowns and leave them alone. If you think that it is not a good day to buy lottery tickets, you better prepare a little for the winter.
Once you cut the stems, stop watering your asparagus altogether. The idea of u200bu200bwintering asparagus beds is to protect the crown from getting cold. Spread 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) of protective mulch such as straw, wood chips, or other organic matter over the crown.
The disadvantage of covering the bed is that it will reduce the emergence of spears in the spring, but it is a small price to pay for protecting the bed. You can remove the old mulch in the spring when the buds start to appear. Then dispose of or compost the mulch as it can inhibit fungal disease spores.
