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 when allowed to grow into ferny foliage and red berries later in the season. But should you let your asparagus go to seed after the harvest period ends? There are good arguments on both sides of this gardening debate.

In this article, we’ll look at the potential benefits and drawbacks of letting asparagus set seed to help you make an informed decision for your 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, foliage ferns grow 3-5 feet tall.

• In summer, some plants produce red berries that contain seeds.

• Roots survive winter and regenerate new spears each spring.

• Needs 2-3 years to establish before harvesting spears.

• Productive for 15-20 years when properly cared for.

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

So in considering whether to allow seed production, it’s important to understand asparagus is a long-lived perennial that puts energy into both its roots and growth cycle each season. Next, let’s look at potential advantages of letting asparagus go to seed.

The Benefits and Reasons For Allowing Asparagus to Set Seed

Here are some of the main advantages and reasons why a gardener may choose to allow asparagus to go to seed:

• Allows the plant to complete its lifecycle. Asparagus is a flowering plant that reproduces through seeds. Letting it go to seed allows the complete reproductive lifecycle which may improve vigor.

• Can prolong the harvest. In theory, allowing energy reserves to go into seeds instead of spears may extend the spring harvest period slightly.

• Good for self-seeding more plants. The red berries contain seeds that self-sow into new volunteer asparagus plants. These can be transplanted to expand beds.

• Attractive foliage interest. The ferny, wispy foliage that develops provides nice textural contrast in the garden.

• Food source for birds and beneficial insects. Birds eat the red berries and carry seeds to new locations. Insects may also feed on flowers and summer foliage.

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

• Completes natural plant cycle. As a flowering plant, asparagus reproduces via seeds and allowing this provides a sense of harmony.

So for some gardeners, allowing asparagus to go to seed may be lower maintenance, provides extended visual appeal, supports wildlife, spreads new plants, and honors the natural cycle – good reasons to let the spears turn into lacy flowers and berries. However, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider.

The Disadvantages and Reasons to Remove Asparagus Seed Stalks

Here are some of the main disadvantages and reasons why a gardener may choose to prevent asparagus from going to seed:

• Reduces spear production. Energy that goes into seed production means less energy reserved in the roots for next year’s spear growth. Seeds may reduce yields.

• Female plants are less productive. Female asparagus plants that make seeds and berries produce smaller and fewer spears than male plants.

• Can become weedy or invasive. Prolific self-seeding from the berries creates more volunteers to weed out and allows spread into unwanted areas.

• May harbor diseases and insects. The berry seeds and summer foliage can harbor overwintering diseases and pests.

• Messy foliage. Dry ferns and berries in fall create more debris and mess around the garden.

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

• More work removing old ferns. Need to cut back dead foliage in winter before spring spear emergence.

So for some gardeners, preventing asparagus from going to seed reduces unwanted spread, pests, and debris while promoting higher yield. However, it involves more hands-on maintenance.

Now that we’ve explored reasons on both sides, let’s go through some best practices and compromises.

Expert Tips on Managing Asparagus Seed Production

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

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

• Allow some, but not all, plants to go to seed for self-sowing but cut stalks of others to reduce spread.

• Remove older female plants after 3-4 years that have already produced seeds for several seasons.

• Clean up foliage before winter to remove debris that could harbor pests.

• Monitor for diseases and insects. Remove infected plants or berries if pests are present.

• Start new beds from seed or crowns rather than relying solely on self-seeding.

• Utilize male hybrid varieties developed for higher spear production.

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 do opt to prevent asparagus from going to seed, proper timing on cutting it back is important:

• Leave ferns until they yellow or frost kills them in fall – continued photosynthesis benefits the roots.

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

• Can mulch beds after ferns removed to protect roots.

• Avoid cutting back ferns too early before they transfer maximum energy to the roots.

• Be careful not to damage emerging spears if cutting back ferns too late.

• Dispose of cut foliage if disease was present.

Some gardeners prefer to remove spears and foliage earlier for a tidy look, but it’s best to leave some foliage at least until mid-summer. Completely cutting back early reduces growth for next year.

Frequently Asked Questions About Asparagus and Seed Production

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

Does cutting asparagus ferns reduce yield?

Yes, cutting ferns too early causes some reduction in spear yield the following spring. Leaving foliage until it matures allows more photosynthesis energy to be stored for spear growth.

Should all asparagus seed stalks be removed?

You can leave some plants untouched to self-seed but cut back others. Removing all seed stalks isn’t necessary but may boost yields.

Can you transplant self-seeded asparagus?

Yes, volunteer asparagus seedlings can be dug up and transplanted. Ensure the root crowns are buried at proper depth.

Do all asparagus plants produce seeds?

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

Can asparagus be grown from seed?

Asparagus can be grown from seed but takes 3 years to produce spears. Most commercial growers use 1 year old crowns for faster harvest.

Deciding What’s Best for Your Asparagus

As we’ve explored, there are pros and cons to both allowing asparagus to set seed and preventing it. What’s ultimately best depends on your particular gardening goals and values.

If boosting spear production is paramount, eliminate seed stalks. But if naturalism, low maintenance, and self-sowing plants are more important, let some go to seed. Apply the tips above to find the right balance for your unique site and needs.

Over time, you may find your preferences change as you gain experience. Perhaps you start with extra seeds and volunteers appreciated, then later opt for fewer but higher yielding plants.

The most important thing is to make an intentional choice based on your garden’s conditions and your goals. Then adjust as needed year after year to keep your asparagus patch healthy, productive and looking its best.

If you don’t trim asparagus, the woody ends of the spears can become tough and difficult to chew, even after cooking.