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When to Cut Back Asparagus Plants in Zone 9

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is a graceful perennial vegetable that can be grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 to 9. Though it can take two or three seasons to begin producing substantially, an asparagus planting rewards gardeners with 10 to 15 years of low-maintenance productivity once established. Asparagus responds well to fertile soils, regular irrigation and diligent weeding.

  1. Culture

    • Asparagus prefers relatively cool, moist conditions. In cool coastal areas or in the northern reaches of its range, it thrives in full sun. However, in hot, dry regions, asparagus performs better with partial shade. In any environment, the key to a thriving asparagus patch is ample moisture and soil that has been well enriched with composted manure. Asparagus is naturally adapted to alkaline soils; amend with lime if soil pH is below 6.5.

    Planting

    • The best time to plant asparagus is in later winter when it is still dormant. Nurseries typically sell bare-root "crowns" at this time. Loosen the soil of the planting area to a depth of at least 12 inches. Dig a trench 8 to 10 inches deep along the length of the bed, and lay the crowns every 12 to 18 inches with the roots splayed out on the bottom. Backfill the trenches, water deeply and cover with straw or an ornamental mulch.

    Harvest

    • The shoots that emerge from the ground in spring are the edible portion of the asparagus plant. Harvest these sparingly or not at all in the first two seasons to allow the root systems to develop. Once the plants are established, cut or snap off the edible shoots when they are 6 to 8 inches tall and at least the diameter of a pencil, continuing the harvest until early June. After that, it is customary to leave the shoots unharvested so that they continue to grow into a beautiful mass of fernlike stalks by winter. The plants can then photosynthesize for the remainder of the growing season, storing the energy in their roots to support the next season's crop.

    Maintenance

    • Water deeply once a week during the growing season unless there has been a soaking rain. A fresh layer of mulch applied each spring helps conserve moisture and discourage weed growth. Amending with 1 to 2 inches of compost in fall replenishes the nutrients removed by harvesting. The only special maintenance required with asparagus is to cut the dead stalks to the ground in winter, which keeps the planting productive and attractive during the rest of the year.

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