Asparagus: how to care for
Put thick mulch around the small sprouts after they come up to prevent weeds growth and hold plants in moisture. Let the new plants grow during the summer and autumn without cutting grafts or ferns. Let the tops die in late autumn without interference form your side.
You may begin with two-year-old roots ordered from garden supply store. One-year-old plants will be cheaper for sure but younger plants often don’t survive transplanting. Very persistent gardener may try to sow seeds in special boxes and transplant them to their permanent places when they are two years old.
The next spring and every spring in future you need to cut the old ferns that died over the previous autumn or winter and clear them out before asparagus begin to grow. Also remove any mulch which has left in the bed. Fertilize and cultivate the soil well, but be careful of spreading roots.
The third year repeat the process of cutting back the ferns, removing the mulch and fertilizing. Reap some shoots by cutting with a sharp knife just below the soil when they are 6-8 inches tall. Cut only that ones that are as thick as your finger and let the thin ones grow into ferns.
Each year you will need to leave some shoots to grow into ferns. After the last harvest, pull all weeds and fertilize the bed. Mulch heavily to prevent the growth of weeds.