Okay, so it’s getting cold, and I gotta get my asparagus ready for winter. First thing I did was wait for the first real frost to hit. That’s when those asparagus ferns turn all yellow and brown – kinda sad, but it’s a sign they’re going dormant. That’s exactly what you want.
Cutting Back the Ferns
Once they were all browned out, I got my shears and cut those ferns down to about 2 inches above the ground. You gotta be careful not to cut below the soil line though, or you might hurt the crown. I just tossed the ferns into my compost bin – gotta make use of everything, right?
Weeding and Cleaning Up
After that, I gave the bed a good once-over. Pulled out any weeds that were hanging around. Also got rid of any old asparagus stalks or debris I missed earlier. I mean, you want a clean slate for the winter, so those pests and diseases don’t have anywhere to hide.
Mulching Time
Now comes the fun part – mulching! I used a good 4-6 inches of straw for my mulch. You could use shredded leaves or something similar, too. The important thing is it insulates the soil and keeps those crowns nice and cozy during those freezing temps. Also, it helps keep the weeds down come springtime. Double win!
Watering (Maybe)
Usually, I don’t water in the winter, since the plants are dormant and all. But we had a real dry spell this fall, so I gave them a little drink before the ground froze. Just enough to moisten the soil a bit. It is different each time, I need to check the soil condition before I do the watering job.
Waiting Game
And that’s pretty much it! Now we just wait for spring. When the weather starts warming up, I’ll keep an eye out for those first asparagus spears popping up. Then, it’s harvest time again! It is quite simple to me, follow the instruction I learned from my grandma, and my asparagus plants always survive the winter well and produce a bumper crop the next year.
- Wait for the first frost
- Cut ferns to 2 inches above ground
- Weed and clean the bed
- Apply 4-6 inches of mulch
- Water if needed
- Wait for spring!
It might seem like a lot of steps, but it’s really not that bad. And trust me, it’s way better than having to replant your asparagus every year. It is also a fun experience for me to do all the steps above. With a little care, those plants will keep producing for years to come.
