Fall Treatment

The fall clearing of the plantation is an important part of asparagus

culture. As soon as the berries are turning red--but not before--the

stalks should be cut off even with the ground. If left longer the

berries will drop off, their seeds will soon become embedded in the

ground and fill the soil with seedling asparagus plants, which are about

the most obstinate weed in the asparagus bed. If cut sooner they are not

sufficiently matured, and the roots are deprived of their nourishment.

All the brush should be removed at once to an open field and burned, so

as not to provide lodging-places for injurious insects and fungi. Some

recommend leaving the seedless plants as a mulch during the winter, but

the possible benefit of this is so insignificant that it is not worth

while to leave them for a second cleaning in spring, when time is far

more valuable.