Kitchen Garden Forum

I've had 4 wonderful yrs of home grown asparagus. Though last year I noticed the beetles I tried to pick and kill many but over all they didn't seem to do any harm. Sadly this spring the asparagus is all coming up a couple of inches and then dying. Will it recover on its own for the following year?
Sarah.

Morning Sarah,
It could be that it isn't a beetle problem with your Asparagus but possibly Crown or Root Rot as given in the following link:-
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/cro ... 82-045.htm

Dear Snooky,

Thanks for your reply, i read the link and that sounds exactly like what i,ve got...start all over again. Ho hum

Hi Sarah, when you replant try protecting the asparagus with fleece to prevent infestation. Neem oil soap is a natural insecticide that will kill asparagus beetles on contact and then repel new arrivals for about 2 weeks. Pyrethrum is made from chrysanthemum blossoms and is quite effective especially when applied directly to the pest.
Wondering if the very wet weather is a problem? Is the asparagus bed raised?

No it isn't raised...i too was wondeing if it was anything to do with the continual deluge.

I am planning for extreme weather - both drought and flood seem to be becoming the norm, so I dug the topsoil from the paths to raise the height of the beds and mulched well. the mulch helps stop evaporation in summer and stops run off of the soil in winter, any flooding settles in the paths leaving the roots out of the flood water. Only problem is the worms take the mulch into the soil and it needs replenishing over time , but that aerates the soil and conditions it - saves me having to dig !

A common bit of advice for asparagus beetle is to cut the foliage down completely in autumn and dispose of it to prevent them overwintering in the hollow stems.

I cunning idea from Bob Flowerdew is to do that with all but a few asparagus plants, which you leave with some protruding stalks as a tempting overwintering place - THEN cut them down and burn them, beetles and all.

A useful tip Tony, thank you, mine stayed green well into winter then I forgot about them, but I will remember that tip this year..