asparagus

[lilypoppyfre]

my son planted some asparagus crowns some time ago and now the asparagus are growing. The instructions were that they were not to be harvested the 1rst
year....so, does he leave them to die and rot or should he cut them....
some advice will be gratefully received, as it is his 1rst foray into growing what he will eventually eat....

[Hawkwalk]

yes, just leave them and let them grow. They will die down in the autumn and come back much stronger next year.

[Maydup]

In the first year, don't harvest at all.

In the second year take just 6–8 spears per plant; double that in the third year. You can expect 20–25 spears per plant per year over the next 20 years or so.

[lilypoppyfre]

thank you very much Hawkwalk and Maidup.....my son is most grateful...so am I......my "reward" is some asparagus next year....

[Exmothian]

... But do get him to cut down the ferns to ground level in November or thereabouts to stop wind rock, see the RHS site (google RHS) for the experts advice ... This applies to ALL gardening queries!