Transplant and Divide Asparagus Plants for Better Production
The list of vegetables that are true perennials is short - rhubarb and asparagus keep coming back year after year, while artichokes and sorrel can double as perennials too.
While the tendency for a vegetable like an asparagus to return after a harsh winter is something to celebrate, this growth habit also means that sometimes you have to move the asparagus from its original bed to a new location in the garden.
Find out how and when to transplant asparagus to bring spring asparagus to your plate for years to come.
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Why Transplant Asparagus?
Asparagus plants have a long lifespan and are vigorous. When asparagus is grown in a sunny location with good drainage, watering, and adequate nutrients, the plants multiply and replenish over time.
A mature asparagus stall produces asparagus for several weeks, or even up to eight weeks.
During this time, a healthy plant should produce around 20 spears. If you notice a decrease rather than an increase in yield in the last growing season, the plants may be too full, resulting in reduced vigor.
Another reason to transplant asparagus is to move it to a place that increases its growth capacity. Because they live so long, sometimes a site that has been good for several years loses its vitality.
For example, a seedling is maturing and casts a shadow that did not exist before, or a new garden shed or other structure covers the flower bed. Finally, you may need to transplant asparagus from a friend's garden to yours or vice versa.
Asparagus' ability to multiply means that sharing the bounty is part of the fun of growing this perennial vegetable.
When to Transplant Asparagus
Asparagus enters a period of rapid growth in spring. In this period the plants are in a better condition to renew and repair the damage suffered during excavation and transplantation.
The exact time will depend on your weather and climate, but early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked, is a good time to begin the transplanting process.
How to Dig Asparagus for Transplanting
Before digging the asparagus, you need to prepare the new location for planting. This is to minimize the time that the dug plants spend on the ground.
Dig a generous amount of compost at the new planting site. Check the pH of the soil; It should be close to neutral, around 6.5 to 7.5. Dig a trench about 6 inches deep where you will place the grafts.
Now is the time to dig up the established plants. Dig deep with a sharp shovel. Trim the roots as needed to bring manageable clods to the top of the soil. Shake the soil off the lawn or rinse well to expose the roots.
The Asparagus Dividing Process
Identify your asparagus crowns, which will tell you where to make your splits. Each crown may have several whitish spears beginning to emerge.
The roots can be very tangled and you can separate them as best you can with your hands before using a sharp knife to separate them. If the roots are excessively tangled and overgrown, you can cut the root mass to facilitate replanting.
Replanting Your Asparagus
Create a pile of soil mixed with compost in the prepared trench. Arrange the piles so that each asparagus plant is about 18 inches apart.
The top of the canopy should be about 5 cm below the soil surface. Spread the roots of the plant over the mound and make sure the emerging spears are facing up.
Cover the crowns with soil and compost until the trench is filled. Cover the surface of the soil with 3 inches of mulch. This will prevent weed seeds from germinating and will retain moisture from the newly planted canopies.
Care for Newly Transplanted Asparagus Plants
Treat your freshly split and transplanted asparagus-like new seed. Asparagus beds should be moist, but not soggy. Once the soil has stabilized, fertilize the plants with a balanced multipurpose fertilizer.
Apply 1 pound of granular fertilizer for every 100 square feet. Keep your asparagus weed bed growing lightly around the plants.
Avoid harvesting in the new bed during the first season to help plants develop the energy needed to provide many years of productive future in your garden.
Enjoy This Video Tutorial About Splitting and replanting asparagus
Source: Driveway Primitive
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Last update on 2024-11-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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