Asparagus patch tip for spring

[Deleted]

Some of you that grow asparagus probably already know this, but for those who don't....
Early spring is the time to cover your asparagus patch with a thin layer of salt. Even cheap rock salt works. This will keep the weeds from coming up, and not effect the asparagus at all

[Ipostbulls**t]

Did not know that! Can I use crushed rock salt that I use for sidewalks? Have plenty

[bbaloga]

good tip i hate weeding all my beds going to give it a try, thanks

[Deleted]

Mar 8, 2013 10:52:39 GMT -5 Ipostbulls**t said:

Did not know that! Can I use crushed rock salt that I use for sidewalks? Have plenty

yup

[Ipostbulls**t]

Sweet thanks and karma to you for the tip can't stand constantly weeding my asparagus!

[Deleted]

Put on a good layer. While you don't want salt 3" thick, you want to cover the ground ;D

[Admin]

That's pretty interesting. I don't have a patch but interesting just the same. ;D

[Deleted]

Salt added

[stomper]

I have a friend that salts his and it works great for him. I cant salt mine or the deer would be digging it all up.

[bbaloga]

cj great tip i tried it, june 10 and not one weed to be found, usually by now im swamped. thanks

[Deleted]

Jun 10, 2013 6:42:34 GMT -5 bbaloga said:

cj great tip i tried it, june 10 and not one weed to be found, usually by now im swamped. thanks

Same here. not a single weed yet ;D

[Deleted]

Bumping as a reminder

[Deleted]

After the season, sow a cover crop of soy beans between the rows of asparagus.

[js]

Would this work for everything? Or just asparagus.

[paddyg441]

Thanks !!!,   "CJ",   for the Bump,  reminder and .

[cbul]

CJ- Holy crap! You put it on thick! You certain that it will not kill the plants? I busted my ass getting that asparagus going and am a little gun shy about fouling the deal up. I do have plenty of time to salt as almost two feet of snow still covers the beds.

Cool tip.

If I may all ask how many years have you done this? Would a cumulative amount of salt be unhealthy for the plants?

Please forgive my skepticism I would just hate like hell to kill them with good intentions.

Cheers!

[Deleted]

Mar 22, 2014 23:08:39 GMT -5 cbul said:

CJ- Holy crap! You put it on thick! You certain that it will not kill the plants? I busted my ass getting that asparagus going and am a little gun shy about fouling the deal up. I do have plenty of time to salt as almost two feet of snow still covers the beds.

Cool tip.

If I may all ask how many years have you done this? Would a cumulative amount of salt be unhealthy for the plants?

Please forgive my skepticism I would just hate like hell to kill them with good intentions.

Cheers!

The salt wont hurt the asparagus one bit. They are very tolerant. I would have only some hesitation adding to a patch that was newly planted the year before, but that's it. Some folks that do this will do it for 3 to 4 years, then skip one year, to let the soil regain nutrients.

[Deleted]

I have attached a link to a Penn State agricultural extension pdf on Asparagus. Under "weed management" it says that asparagus "tolerates high soluble salts in soils" and is "salt loving". It recommends dissolving 2 pounds of salt (NaCl2) in a gallon of water and wet the weeds thoroughly. Sprinkle salt brine on growing spears or mature ferns but not on tender seedlings or young ferns. It says not to use dry granules. I'm guessing that is because you give up control on the rate of dispersion and concentration of the salt depending on the weather conditions. Make your application on a sunny day and mulch the bed with grass clippings or straw. That's what they say anyway.

dogwood.cas.psu.edu/files/hort/extension/growing_asparagus.pdf

[farmertrappe]

I'm game to try this in my weed/asparagus patch. Going to see what weather we have on Tuesday, then get started on the asparagus and strawberry patches soon afterward.

[Deleted]

Some folks that do this will do it for 3 to 4 years, then skip one year, to let the soil regain nutrients.

In that year, plant some beets.

[rhyla]

Wouldn't it leech into the ground when it rains and eventually get to the asparagus crowns? I would love to not have to weed the asparagus bed, but we get so much rain here.

[Deleted]

Mar 23, 2014 11:57:03 GMT -5 rhyla said:

Wouldn't it leech into the ground when it rains and eventually get to the asparagus crowns? I would love to not have to weed the asparagus bed, but we get so much rain here.

rhyla, the salt won't hurt them a bit.

I just salted last week, my new bed from last year (along with my old bed)

[hillbilly]

oldtimers actually salt the ground before they start a patch of asparagus, then salt it for a couple years after...
They did it because they believed the salt helped the asparagus, not to kill the weeds. Thats an obvious benefit.

I dont salt mine, just never have. I clear weeds by hand, and my patch dosent seem to be lacking anything. But it wont hurt your patch, i do know that for a fact...even though as thick as CJ put it on his made me wonder...LOL