How I Prune My Asparagus Every Year For HUGE Harvests

Asparagus has become one of our most sought after spring time treats but to get the biggest harvest you have to know when, how, and why to prune your asparagus! When it comes to end of season perennial plant care it can be quite scary to cut down a plant trusting that it will grow back. But here you have to trust the process and know that this delicious plant will come back year after year, maybe over 20 years!

IN THIS VIDEO

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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Intro
00:28 - Asparagus Patch Overview
01:54 - Bamboo Stakes
02:29 - When To Prune
04:39 - Pruning
06:33 - Composting Asparagus Pruning

DISCLAIMER

[amandashepard]

I usually take any plant cuttings, especially those that contain bugs, and toss them in with the chickens. And whatever the chickens leave after 2 days I’ll toss in compost. That way they take care of the bugs for me and they get a snack too.

[mikeanderson-fq]

I have picked asparagus plants from homesteads that are 100 plus years old in several locations in Minnesota…picking wild asparagus and gifting it to my friends and neighbors has been one of the great joys in my life

[that_auntceleste]

I love describing foliage as a solar panel, collecting energy for the plant (the bank). That is EXACTLY how life works!

[juliarroberts]

I live in the Caribbean in Antigua and have three asparagus plants growing in a raised bed. This is their first season. I pray they get nice and big like yours.

[roberttaylor]

I use electric hedge trimmers to take down my plants in the winter, takes very little time. Then a cover of mulch for winter. In some years they will begin to sprout as early as February. My plants are nine years old and have to be harvested twice a day once they start growing large spears. 4-6" a day is not uncommon.

[JustAuntJenn]

Hello sir! Next spring I will start cutting on my crowns, and my yearlings will be placed with them. I can't wait, great timing. Thank you!❤

[dinaducheny]

Thank you so much for this video. I was hoping you would talk about this. I just started a bed late spring and wasn't sure when I should cut it back. Can't wait to see how it grows next year.

[digsindirt]

This is so timely for me. Thanks for the wonderful education. Now I know it’s ok to cut it to the ground and cover with compost. I’m in 9A and we grow year-round so I had no idea what I was supposed to be doing and after watching your video, I was doing it wrong. LOL

[philipmeade]

Nice video Mr. Jacque, comfortably well spoken, informative, easy to watch, and enjoyable. I knew an elderly lady that used to put wood ashes and old cow manure on here bed every fall/winter best I remember it grew very well. What if you just cut the tops off at ground level leave standing till brown then burn it, it should burn fast killing any bugs and the ash would fall and fertilize. Burning it while it stands keeps the crown from getting hot.

[alph]

Thanks for the video. You do a very good job of explaining what you do and why you do it. Keep on keeping on.

[siamstation]

Hi Jacque, I am also growing asparagus by seedlings. I can't get over the thickness of some of the spears. My bed is going into it's second summer. I haven't harvested any yet. I'm going to assess it spring 2023. Maybe I might get a spear or two then. Blessings from Australia ♥️

[meizi]

I remember seeing your video about replanting new asparagus to replace female asparagus. I started to harvest this year, female asparagus taste way better than male. And I read it from an article, I Sm glad most if my asparagus are female.

[richard]

I especially appreciate the adding of compost step.

[OakKnobFarm]

I'm in zone 5 (NH) and don't find we need to leave the ferns for winter snow protection. instead I prune like you do, then mulch heavily with leaves or similar.

[wdsjrmd]

as always lots of useful information thanks

[SH-jylc]

Thank you for great tips! I live in a cold zone 3 and it was very helpful to know i do not need to prune my asparagus patch. Alsoi started with seedlings. Goot to know i can eat them sooner!

[johnnyalegria]

Great video on year two on asparagus in a raised bed and I definitely made some mistakes but still alive! Love from Lakeside California. Love your videos!

[joyofgrowing]

Ia loving asparagus! I have a patch growing here in bay are but no where near as large! Yours looks amazing!!

[emmbabyrocks]

This video was awesome 😊 what a fun plant to grow

[TheBarefootedGardener]

Good information Jacque! Are they too thick or stringy to use gas hedge clippers?