Hi from the new forest, some advice please!

[Orchid]

Hello from the new forest where it is quite cold though we are usually milder than most. I forgot to cut my asparagas down in autumn and am wondering if I can still do it now? any advice would be greatly appreciated

[SarzWix]

Welcome to the Vine Orchid
I'm sorry, I know nothing about asparagus, but hopefully someone will be along that does soon

[northepaul]

Hi Orchid,
LOVE the New Forest, and not too far away either.
Welcome to the Vine and nice to meet you

[FionaH]

Hi welcome to the Vine

[Jeanied]

Hi Orchid - welcome to the vine! I have not cut my asparagus tops down yet - didn't have a chance before the snow arrived, and I have been waiting for it all to turn yellow. It will get a good haircut soon, and a top dressing of something tasty for it!

[Comfreyfan]

Hi Orchid and welcome - it's not too late to cut them down. I didn't get round to mine one year and left them until the spring, but I had a lot of problems with asparagus beetle that following year and I think it's because they overwinter in the old stems, so if you cut them down before spring, you'll be fine.

[ginger ninger]

Hi Orchid and welcome to the vine, I've never grown asparagus so I'm unable to give you any advice, sorry.

[Orchid]

thanks guys i really appreciate the advice

[Snadger]

Welcome to the vine orchid. Loads of good advice to be had on here and a nice place to be on a cold and snowy night!

[Nicos]

Hi there- and welcome to the Vine!

Apart from beetles living in the stems, one problem of leaving the stems is that rain can funnel down any broken ones and act like a straw, channeling rain direct to the crown- often killing it.
Soooo...it's OK to leave them to rot down and cut them off later, but you just need to make sure that wind rock doesn't damage the crowns ( wind causing swaying of the ferns and tearing at the base where the new spears will be produced.
If you are going to leave the stems for a while, tis a good idea to secure the ferns to tape or something running from either end of the row
Now is a good time to add a little sand and salt ( the sort of thing they trow onto the roads)