This was the jumble of dead asparagus ferns from last season I let form a bit of insulation for the roots over winter. But now they needed to be cleaned up before those first, little asparagus shoots started showing their heads.
The patch isn't done yet, but I've made a good start on it. Ferns removed and small weeds dug out and removed. Yes, underneath all those ferns I found healthy, green weeds already taking hold.
Now I have to till in between the rows, put a little compost on the rows and then mound about 6" of loose soil up on the rows. I'll post a picture of the finished bed when I get that done.
Spring commences!
ReplyDeleteIt even looks springlike around here. But we can't get rid of "April Showers." And downpours. And even thunder and hail! ,-)
But get a couple of warm days of sun, and..... _Everything_ will burst forth!
wisps of words - Please say it will really happen! Unlike your area, we're actually short on rain and the fire danger is listed as "moderate." But with the temp still 7 degrees below freezing again this morning . . . I could get outside and do some preliminary garden work because the soil is workable in many areas. But, darn, I'm feeling chilly even inside so who wants to bundle up and go outside?? (Never happy, am I?) ;o)
ReplyDeleteOh, asparagus!! A true sign of spring. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteYou betcha! I was looking for some asparagus poking through . . . but kinda sorta knew it was too early. :o)
ReplyDeleteI envy you the asparagus. Mine drowned in the great rains of 2017. Well maybe the great over population of ground squirrels helped some?
ReplyDeleteCould you send a care package of asparagus along with those extra blueberries you spoke of on my blog? Pleaseeeeeeeeee
spring has seemed a long time coming this year I am so glad it has now arrived
ReplyDeleteI am weeding my asparagus today. It's a cold start, but will be sunny and dry here.
ReplyDeleteGoatldi - This will (finally!) be the first year for our asparagus patch that we can harvest all season! We can hardly wait as we both love the stuff and have, so far, not gotten our fill. Could it be we might actually get enough to freeze?? Oh, to think of cream of asparagus soup this winter!
ReplyDeleteDawn McHugh - And it's been that way all over the country and lower Canada! Last April I had already gotten a bit done in the garden. This past weekend was the first I could get out there . . . and that was wearing a down vest and hoodie!
ReplyDeleteKristina - If we can get our asparagus weeded and ready for the season before those little green heads start popping up, that's fine, indeed! Do you mulch your asparagus?
ReplyDeleteOh boy, oh boy!! Its starting! I was busy out in the yard this weekend, but for reasons related to gardening just not for our current house. I had to dig all the soil from my big tubs, my pots and planters and my vegetable trug. Talk about dirty work! And with the winds blowing so hard this weekend I ate half the garden I am sure.
ReplyDeleteJust wondering, when you uncover and clean the asparagus planting, do you just use compost or anything else? I have been composting, but the crop is pretty meager each year, not that I'm complaining, since I live alone and don't freeze or can it. Maybe I should rejuvenate with new plants? These are ancient, probably close to 35 years old. Thanks for any input, and stay out of the cold. The work will still be there. Phil
ReplyDeleteMrsDM - Sometimes the work we have to do related to gardening is just plain hard, and I can imagine your time this weekend was just that! What can we do but keep in mind the end product we will get from honest labor and keep our sense of humor. You've done that and given me a real chuckle reading your words about eating half the garden soil! Well, they say there are nutritious minerals in good soil . . . ;o)
ReplyDeletePhil - We keep everything around here strictly organic and free of poisons ('cause it's the food we eat!) so all we put on the asparagus in spring and fall is our home made compost.
I would guess your asparagus should really be replaced with a new planting. They say asparagus roots will last as long as 25-30 years so yours has probably given you about all it can.
Hi Mama Pea :)) Oh your patch looks great! Congrats on all that hard labour! I'm looking forward to the next update! Wow...about how long the roots last! I can't wait to start planting some in the future. Right now, not worth it as we are moving in a year!
ReplyDeleteRain - I keep saying you are going to be one successful gardener once you and Alex get on your own piece of land!
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