should you let asparagus go to seed

Should You Let Asparagus Go To Seed? The Pros and Cons Explained

Asparagus is a delicious spring vegetable that also makes for an attractive garden plant. But when it’s done producing those yummy spears in early summer should you let the fronds mature and go to seed? Or cut them back for the sake of next year’s crop?

There are good arguments on both sides of this common gardening dilemma. In this article, we’ll outline the potential benefits and drawbacks of letting asparagus set seed. This will help you make an informed decision for your unique garden.

An Overview of Asparagus Plants

First, let’s review some asparagus biology and growth habits:

• Perennial vegetable that produces edible young spears in early spring.

• After spears are harvested, ferny foliage grows 3-5 feet tall.

• In summer, some plants produce red berries containing seeds.

• Crown overwinters and generates new spears each spring.

• Needs 2-3 years from seed to establish before harvesting.

• Remains productive for 15-20 years when properly maintained.

• Two sexes – male plants more desirable, females produce seeds.

So in considering seed production, remember asparagus is a long-lived perennial that devotes energy to both roots and growth cycles annually. Now let’s examine the potential benefits of letting it go to seed.

The Advantages of Letting Asparagus Set Seed

Here are some of the main pros for allowing asparagus to go to seed after spear harvest ends:

• Allows the plant to fully complete its reproductive lifecycle, which may improve vigor.

• Can slightly prolong the harvest period by diverting energy into seeds rather than spears.

• Good for self-seeding more plants. The red berries contain seeds that can self-sow new asparagus plants, which can be transplanted.

• Provides attractive ferny foliage interest, contrasting with other plants.

• Food source for birds who eat berries and spread seeds, plus beneficial insects that feed on flowers.

• Less work and maintenance. Letting it go wild after spring means less time spent amending soil and cutting back ferns.

So for some gardeners, allowing seed production means lower maintenance, extended landscape appeal, supports wildlife, and spreads new plants – good reasons to let spears become lacy flowers and berries. But there are also some potential disadvantages to weigh.

The Drawbacks of Letting Asparagus Go To Seed

Here are some of the main cons for allowing asparagus to set seed:

• Can reduce spear production. Energy that goes into seed production means less energy stored in roots for next year’s spears.

• Female plants are less productive. They produce smaller and fewer spears compared to males.

• Can become weedy or invasive. Prolific self-seeding from berries allows unwanted spread.

• May harbor diseases and pests. Spent berries and summer foliage can shelter overwintering problems.

• Creates messy debris. Dead ferns and berries in fall make more cleanup work around the garden.

• Appearance. Some gardeners prefer the clean look of beds cut back before winter dormancy begins.

• More maintenance removing old ferns. You need to cut back foliage before spring spear emergence.

So for some gardeners, stopping asparagus from going to seed reduces unwanted spread, pests, and mess while promoting higher yields. But it requires more hands-on cutting back and care.

Now that we’ve seen the pros and cons, let’s explore some best practices and compromises.

Expert Tips for Managing Asparagus Seed Stalks

Many expert gardeners recommend a balanced approach when it comes to letting asparagus set seed:

• Stop harvesting spears by mid-June so plants can focus energy on roots and next year’s crop.

• Allow some plants to go to seed for self-sowing but cut stalks on others to limit spread.

• Thin out older female plants that have already produced seeds for several seasons.

• Clean up foliage before winter to remove pest habitat and plant debris.

• Scout for signs of diseases like rust or asparagus beetles and remove infected plants or seed-laden stalks.

• Start new beds with purchased crowns or nursery seedlings rather than just self-sown volunteers.

• Use colorful flowers like zinnias as substitutes for the summer foliage display.

• Choose improved all-male hybrids like Jersey Knight for higher spear yields.

By following this kind of compromise between allowing some seed production and removing specific plants, many gardeners find an optimal balance for their needs.

When and How to Cut Back Asparagus Foliage

If you opt to prevent seed stalks, proper timing for cutting back ferns is important:

• Leave intact until they yellow or frost kills them in fall so they can continue photosynthesis.

• Chop down to 2-3” above soil before winter once fully dried out and dormant.

• Can mulch beds after ferns removal to insulate crowns.

• Avoid cutting too early in the season before they transfer maximum energy to the roots.

• Be careful not to damage emerging spears if you cut back too late.

• Remove and dispose of foliage if disease was present.

Some gardeners cut back for aesthetics earlier, but it’s best to leave some fronds at least until mid-summer. Completely removing too early reduces spear yields.

Frequently Asked Questions About Asparagus Seed Production

Here are answers to some other common questions about managing asparagus seed stalks:

Does cutting ferns early reduce asparagus yield?

Yes, cutting fronds prematurely causes some reduction in spear production the following spring. Leaving intact longer allows more photosynthesis energy storage in roots.

Should all asparagus seed stalks be removed?

You don’t need to remove all stalks but doing so can boost yields. Allow some plants to self-seed but cut back others.

Can you transplant volunteer asparagus seedlings?

Yes, self-sown asparagus volunteers can be dug up and transplanted if care is taken to bury the crown at proper depth.

Do all asparagus plants produce seeds?

No, only female plants make the red berries containing seeds. Male hybrids and younger plants may not produce seeds.

Can asparagus be grown from seed?

Asparagus can be grown from seed but takes 3 years to generate harvestable spears. Most commercial growers start with 1 year old crowns for quicker harvests.

Deciding What’s Best for Your Asparagus

As we’ve explored, good reasons exist on both sides of letting asparagus set seed or preventing it. What’s best for you depends on your particular gardening goals and priorities.

If maximizing spear yield is most important, eliminate seed stalks. But if naturalism, low maintenance, and self-sowing plants take precedence, allow some to go to seed. Apply the tips above to find the right balance for your unique growing conditions and needs.

Over time, your preferences may evolve with experience. Perhaps you start enjoying the extra seeds and volunteers, then later choose to have fewer but higher yielding plants.

The most crucial thing is making an intentional choice based on your garden’s realities and objectives. Then adjust as needed season after season to keep your asparagus patch healthy, productive, and looking its best.