Personally, I do not harvest anything from first year plants. However, I know many who do with no apparent setback. If I were to harvest though, I'd only do it once with the larger spears. Also, do not pick the ferns, only the spears.

There are many choices for mulch, but I don't know many who use wood mulch on asparagus. Personally, I'd avoid it. Straw is probably your best best although I see nothing wrong with pine straw.

Brook

I use Oak leaves for mulch/weed control...saved from the previous Fall.

As long as the asparagus is at LEAST pencil size...enjoy it, but let the smaller ones fern out. That's the plants winter/dormant food & protection from the winter.

I wouldn't use pine as mulch...that's pretty acidy.

does this apply (the leaving the smaller ones to fern out) for any aged plants? If they (mine) are NOT first year, but this is the second season they have been in, do the same thing, the small ones seem to fern out before getting any size to them, should they be left alone now too?

Not to be argumentative here, but considerable recent research has proven pine straw to be relatively neutral in ph while oak leaves contribute to acidity (Tannins). I routinely use oak leaves as mulch on my blueberries even tho' Nourse does not reccomend it. I would be concerned of oak leaves matting down too tightly within the rows. Check out Scott Jacobs' research among others. If used between the rows, then go for it. Still, I'd use whatever was available. I doubt that any serious harm would occur. One thing is definite tho'---asparagus likes sweet soil, so add some lime no matter what.

Brook

As for the oak leaves as mulch...I don't use a slew of them, just enough to shade the weeds out. (Maybe, 3-4 leaves deep, is all...and just AROUND the plants, not on them.) I keep them about 6" deep on the ground surrounding the raised beds, tho. What a work saver they are. ;)

Thanks, I'll check out Scott Jacob's research.