I never remove mine. The soil molds and fungus you see are a normal part of the composting/decomposition process - feeding the soil and the plants. Not to mention that it keeps down the weeds. Try it both ways and see which works best for you.

Dave

Thank you Dave. I have been babying my gus box just planted a new box tat I built last Fall and have to build another one for the last 13 crowns I have. I would be devastated if I lost them due to a lack of knowledge. I love that I can grow one my favorite veggies and save $4.99 a lb by NOT buying it in the stores.

I will leave covered.

If I add some manure should I put it under the straw or on top?

Susan

One more reason to leave the straw on: it keeps the weeds down. Weeding asparagus ferns is a big fat pain in the kiester.

When I compost my asparagus patch I rake out the old straw, spread the compost, put the old straw back on, and put new straw over it. I do this in early spring.

Good luck!

Ed

Thanks Ed,

I will do that today. Have to buy bagged manure while I look for a new supplier. I like to get a truckload at a time.

I don't know about straw but you could also try leaf mulch. I use this on my asparagus and it works really great! I use it thick in the fall and it is worked in by spring. I then add a little bit just to keep the earth covered. After harvesting I mulch it too death and no weeds!

I hope you find what works best for you! Gotta love that fresh asparagus!

I agree Ali, last year was the first year on my first bed. I planted 2 year old crowns and in the Fall it was really hard leaving all those spears to become ferns. I confess I sneaked 6 of them into the house and boy were they yummy! I chewed as slow as possible to savor ever spear. LOL

This is my first full harvest, I go out every day looking for little tips that might be poking through.

I don't get enough leaves in my yard to mulch with so I use straw, it worked great against weeds, i like using it, just was not sure if it should come off.

I am taking Ed's advice and getting bagged manure tomorrow and putting it in the bed. Today I planted my third gus bed, so now I have 35 crowns planted.

Thanks for responding to my question.
Susan