Your comments and tips

30 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

In cooler climates asparagus normally yellows and dies back in the winter as you say. in the spring if the spears are left they will grow on to form the big ferny tops that we are familiar with. The plant uses these tops along with manure or compost to regenerate the roots in readiness for next springs crop. You could try bending these over so they are bruised and nearly broken off to force the plant into dormancy. If you cut them off the plant may just send up some more spindly spears.

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15 Mar 17, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)

Keep the seeds in a cool dry place. I kept watering my asparagus all the way into July last year - spears kept coming up. When I did cut them in August, new spears appeared in week or so. I gave my 3 plants a big hair cut a week ago. I have 4 x 6' posts at the corners of the garden bed and cord running around the post to support the ferns. The ferns grow to 6-8' high. I only cut spears for 1 month last year (2 yr old plant). In hindsight I could have cut them for another 4-6 weeks. The crowns are now about 15" in diameter (2.5 yrs old now). The little seedlings I planted out in Sept are still growing - the shade cloth cover did the trick. The last 2.5 mths have seen the temp in the 32-34 degree area (3 d above average). Have grown quite well in this rather hot weather. Looking forward to August - November to having a great feed off them.

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15 May 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

All my asparagus grew really well in April especially the new little plants (6) from seed planted Sept last year. Although I keep trimming the older plants back they just keep growing - the warm weather - 26 C here today and nights 14-16 C. Looks like another warm winter coming.

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11 Mar 17, Fiona (Australia - temperate climate)

Can I gather the berries now in Autumn and keep them to sow in Spring? Should I keep the seeds cool?

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12 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

There's no reason not too. Mother Nature does it! Plant them in a row about 75 mm (3") sapart and separate them the following winter for planting in their permanent position. All the best.

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17 Feb 17, Dil (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Where can I purchase a Ming fern plant in Melbourne

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18 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

Ming Fern (asparagus) seed is listed on ebay. It is fairly easy to grow from seed. If you search for it on the internet you will find nurseries that have it in Melbourne. It is listed as an environmental weed in NSW and can't be purchased in that state. Trust this helps

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11 Feb 17, Alex (Australia - temperate climate)

I have just bought a house in southeastern SA and it has a large raised asparagus bed. The ferns are over a metre tall and mostly still green, do I cut them back to ground level when they yellow or just leave them till they fall naturally, also, should I water them or not? I believe the asparagus is about 5 years old.

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13 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

Do not cut the ferns back until they start to turn yellow. They are building up the crowns for next seasons crop. Add compost or wel rotted manure in late autumn or winter will also boost your yield.

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10 Feb 17, Lisa (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi, This is my third asparagus year. My asparagus is growing in high raised garden beds. I have the most amazingly tall healthy ferns - they are so tall and prolific you can hardly get past them to the other raised beds. There aren't that many spears though. Will they come? Or am I destined to have a jungle of ferns? Does this happen? I did not pick many spears again this year, I left most to turn into my jungle.

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