Do I need to dig up and replant my asparagus?

[Betsy Ross]

First of all, I planted it mostly for decoration. I have no idea if the SF Bay Area is a good place to grow asparagus. I planted a six-pack last year. This year I have lovely ferns, but they are not standing upright. Do they need to be buried deeper? If I replant them can I expect to actually harvest something in the future?

Thanks for any advice.

[MissB]

1. Did you dig them into a trench when you buried them?

Territorial seed company has excellent instructions for asparagus. If I remember correctly, you don't get much if any of a harvest for a few years.

[dmosh42]

2. I started taking my asparagus after three years, and only the shoots that were about 1/2 inch....

or larger, and only for four to six weeks in the Spring. Then let them grow to 'ferns'. I drove four foot post into the ground every four feet, and tie some line to support those 'ferns', and make weeding easier.

[HopeHoops]

3. No. Just keep the crowns and roots covered.

It does make a lovely fairy forest toward the end of the season, doesn't it?

[BlueToTheBone]

4. You are in asparagus heaven

Great climate. They hate to be moved, so if you must, the ferns must COMPLETELY die back (in the middle of February). I slanted my trench so that they would come up for a more prolonged season. They should be at least 1 foot deep, lots of organic matter and bone meal.

Don't worry if the ferns fall over if you're going for food. If you're going for decoration, the choice is all yours. I planted a couple for decoration like that last year and I have decided it was a planting error in my garden.

[Ruby Reason]

5. They make a beautiful fluffy fern, and the small birds as well as dragonflies love them.

Bunnies like to hide among a nice patch also. I'm not sure about the replanting part. Haven't tried that yet, but we are going to try and move a few strays back to the main bed this year. They get a small lovely red berry as they mature. The berries will create new plants.

Don't try to eat anything before the third year. Just enjoy the feathery ferns and the wildlife it brings. After the third year, you can eat lots and still end up with a lovely fern garden. Be careful if you cut them down once they are dry and brown. They can give you a bit of a stab like cucumbers sometimes can. Nothing horrible, but surprisingly painful if you don't expect it.

Enjoy.