Cutting Back Asparagus
Better late than never…
I really should have done this in November when the weather was kinder and I had more time off. Asparagus waits for no man, I have enough plants to feed a small army and don’t need anymore germinating around me so I am hoping for some luck.
You have to cut asparagus ferns back to ground level as soon as they begin to turn colour (yellow) otherwise ripe berries of the female variety will self seed and overcrowd your prize specimens in May.
It was pretty cold this morning but the sight of a Lincolnshire sunrise more than makes up for the winter chill. Looking around me it is hard to imagine plants and herbs in the summer sun, trees are bare, herbs have died off with only a bay tree and a few winter cabbages to provide colour and comfort.
There is still plenty to do, compost needs turning, beds to be dug and polytunnels to be cleared, so it’s going to be a busy New Year. I have begun to design next years herb garden and hot house for the chillies and Asian salads and next week shall construct a frame work for climbing wing beans and pea asparagus.
Miles,
Great photos that speak for themselves.
Amongst the herbs in winter I would add the good old Rosemary as a faithful friend.
A gardener’s work is never done and always to be enjoyed.
Elsie
December 26, 2007 @ 3:22 pm
Elsie,
Quite right, although my prize rosemary bush isn’t looking too great after I recently fell in it.
Miles
December 26, 2007 @ 9:40 pm
Miles,
Can’t remember if I’ve mentioned it before but Candlesby Herbs towards the coast, used to be a good source of slightly unusual herbs…. one or two ancient kinds used for dying wool etc.
With hindsight it might have been better for you to have a horizontal rosemary or as we experts call it …..
Genus: Rosmarinus (rose-ma-REE-nus) (Info)
Species: officinalis (oh-fiss-ih-NAH-liss) (Info)
Cultivar: Prostratus
Cid
December 27, 2007 @ 11:04 am
Miles,
.
‘rosemary bush isn’t looking too great after I recently fell in it’.
Oh dear, at least your fall was cushioned and you would have smelled superb
December 27, 2007 @ 2:01 pm
Cid,
Very witty! I do know of the herb place you mention, there was a picture of the owner in the local paper about eight years ago which we stuck on the kitchen wall because he looked like our gardener!
Miles
December 27, 2007 @ 4:06 pm
Elsie,
No it was raining and I was covered in mud, with a hint of lavender!
Miles
December 27, 2007 @ 4:07 pm