How To Prune Asparagus Fern

How to prune asparagus fern

Don't be too hasty cutting down the ferns If possible, it is best to remove the dormant, brown ferns in the late fall or early winter (mid-November to December). This helps control asparagus beetles that would otherwise overwinter in the ferns and damage the next year's spears.

Can asparagus ferns be cut back?

Asparagus fern can be mowed or chopped any time after the “dormant brown” color is seen without losing any of the energy that will go into making next year's spear crop.

How do you prune a leggy asparagus fern?

Take a sharp pair of clean scissors and make a snip where you would like the stem to end. You can do this with all of the elongated stems given that they don't make up over half the plant and then place your asparagus fern in a brighter spot and your plant should start to grow bushier rather than leggier.

Should I trim asparagus plants?

Pruning is an important part of proper edible plant care, and in the case of asparagus, it's particularly easy to do. Asparagus foliage that forms after harvest is strengthening the crown and root system for next year's crop, so you'll want to prune in late fall or early winter.

What happens if you don't trim asparagus?

It is not necessary to trim asparagus. On some spears, especially fresh, pencil-thin stalks, the woody ends may not tenderize once cooked. But on larger stalks, the ends of the asparagus are often woody and dense—Which makes them difficult to chew, no matter how soft the asparagus is after cooking.

Do you cut back asparagus for winter?

The asparagus foliage can be cut back to the ground after it has been destroyed by cold temperatures in fall. However, it is generally recommended that the dead foliage be allowed to stand over winter. The dead debris will catch and hold snow. Snow cover helps protect the asparagus crowns from freeze damage.

How do you keep an asparagus fern happy?

Caring for asparagus ferns Reduce watering in autumn, and water more sparingly in winter. Feed once a month with a liquid feed in spring and summer. Provide some humidity by grouping plants together or misting regularly, especially in summer or if the central heating is on. Repot every couple of years, in spring.

What does an overwatered asparagus fern look like?

Overwatering is by far the most common cause of yellow leaves on your fern. The asparagus fern is thirstier than many other plants, so it can be easy to accidentally overcompensate and give it more than it needs if you're not checking the soil.

Does asparagus fern like sun or shade?

Plant asparagus fern in full sun or light shade; plants grown in full sun are more compact and dense than those grown in shade. It does best in moist soils rich in organic matter but tolerates almost any conditions and is fairly drought tolerant once established.

Where do you trim asparagus?

Using a large chef's knife, slice off the bottom tough parts of the stalks just where the color turns from white to green. Repeat with the other half of the stalks. And that's it: you've got asparagus that's ready to be used in any recipe!

Where do you cut asparagus plants?

To harvest asparagus, simply cut the spears with a sharp knife or scissors at ground level. Stop harvesting spears when the diameter of the spears decreases to the size of a pencil. After harvest, fertilize your asparagus in early summer.

What to do with asparagus fern in winter?

How do I overwinter my outdoor asparagus ferns? If the temperature in your area is colder than 55°F in the winter, bring in the asparagus ferns in pots. Place them in bright light indoors and keep them away from drafts or heat. Water only to keep the soil moist—standing in water causes root rot.

Should I cut down female asparagus?

The female asparagus stalk will become fern-like and develop berries (but don't eat them because they are toxic to humans). Over time these female plants should be removed.

Should I cut the skinny asparagus?

When asparagus spears are looking thin, there is no need to fret. As long as you are maintaining good growing conditions and harvesting practices, the problem should work itself out. The good news is, even if you do end up with a season or two of skinny spears, they are still perfectly edible and quite delicious!

How far down do you cut asparagus?

The woody part may be white, pale green, and/or purple, while the rest of the spear is bright green. However, that's not always the case. As a result, it's usually best to snap or slice off at least ½-inch from the bottom of all spears to cover your bases.

Do you cut asparagus above or below the ground?

It's important to note there are no benefits or advantages of cutting asparagus below the soil with a knife. On the contrary, this may pose risk of injury to buds on the crown that will send up new spears. Snapping a 7 to 9 inch spear slightly above the ground level is the ideal harvesting procedure.

What happens if you cut back asparagus too early?

Cutting back asparagus in autumn will eliminate the habitat for asparagus beetles, which overwinter in the dead fronds and will damage the edible spears in spring. In harsh winter climates, asparagus fronds should be left in place during the winter months.

How do you cut asparagus for regrowth?

Quick Tips for Fall Cutbacks

Growth of asparagus foliage is an important part of the plant's life cycle.
Unless you plan to save the seeds, it's best to remove them to conserve energy.
Wait until foliage turns yellow or brown and the plant becomes dormant before pruning.
Cut foliage back to ground level.

How often should an asparagus fern be watered?

Generally, water your fern about 1-2x a week. Humidity is key to helping them thrive. Misting every few days or using a pebble tray and watering when the top inch of soil is dry should keep your asparagus fern happy. However, beware of overwatering which can cause yellowing leaves and root rot.

Should I cut off the brown leaves of asparagus fern?

Trim off any soft, mushy or brown roots and leaves. You want to make sure that your Asparagus Fern doesn't waste any vital energy trying to keep dying roots and leaves alive. By removing these from your plant, you allow all energy to be put into growing new healthy green growth.