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19 May 20 Helen (Australia - temperate climate)

I bedded my 4 year old crowns down for winter, ie, cut back fronds, fed, remulched - and now I have at least 2 new spears per head. Should I just let them go to frond and cut back in mid June ..... or can I harvest and eat them (preferred option of course .... but a healthy plant is a better one ). Thanks for any advice. Helen.

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21 May 20 (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I have only grown it for 4 years. During the summer/autumn asparagus grows ferns and puts nutrient and energy back into the crown to be able to produce new shoots next spring. In winter the ferns dry off etc. I don't hand water mine from May onwards. In late August I trim off the ferns and apply a mulch/compost and water. New shoots appear in a week or so depending how cold it is. I think you have jumped the gun by about 3 mths. Eat the spears and cut back the watering.

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