Gardening

sinkingfeeling

(53,020 posts) Wed Mar 27, 2013, 02:13 PM Mar 2013

Question: My 2-yr. old asparagus roots had sent up nice, big, tall

spears. Then Sunday night through last night we were in the 20's and they froze. I know I wasn't to cut this year, but will they be okay? Will I see them send up new shoots?

3 replies

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Question: My 2-yr. old asparagus roots had sent up nice, big, tall (Original Post) sinkingfeeling Mar 2013 OP

If the root portion is deep enough dixiegrrrrl Mar 2013 #1

I have them in a raised bed and had straw over them. Still froze. sinkingfeeling Mar 2013 #2

tops froze? or whole root ball? dixiegrrrrl Mar 2013 #3

dixiegrrrrl

(60,011 posts)

1. If the root portion is deep enough

Reply to sinkingfeeling (Original post)

Wed Mar 27, 2013, 02:32 PM

Mar 2013

they should do fine.
In spring weather that has cold snaps, you can put a layer of straw or thin branches or whatever along the sides of the bed ( your bed IS raised, right?) to help protect them.
Good chance you will get a few more shoots if the weather stays warm enough.

3rd year beds do pretty well for picking, but always follow the pencil rule, leaving any spears that are thinner than a #2 pencil.
by year 6-7 it is time to divide.

Grew a LOT of asparagus in Ca and in Wash. state, trying to figure out a way to grow it in our hot climate down here in Ala.

sinkingfeeling

(53,020 posts)

2. I have them in a raised bed and had straw over them. Still froze.

Reply to dixiegrrrrl (Reply #1)

Wed Mar 27, 2013, 02:58 PM

Mar 2013

dixiegrrrrl

(60,011 posts)

3. tops froze? or whole root ball?

Reply to sinkingfeeling (Reply #2)

Wed Mar 27, 2013, 04:35 PM

Mar 2013

Covering/protecting the bed during a freeze is to preserve the roots.
Does not hurt them if only the spears got frozen.
They should send up new spears when weather warms..root balls are pretty hardy.

I would wait and see what happens by late spring...

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