Best guess not deep enough to avoid freezing. What is your normal frozen ground depth? 2-3" anyway I'd guess. Mine never freezes here but I suspect yours does.

Next best guess would be insufficient water. I have to keep mine well watered year around but we don't get as much rain as you do - normally. This year is an exception.

What and how often did you feed them? I give mine a late fall feeding of a couple of inches of composted manure after trimming the ferns and then again in early spring.

Dave

Thanks, I'm hoping they did just freeze, b/c then I should be able to plant in same spot (but deeper!). They did get some compost and a cover of leaves (which mostly blew away for lack of snow cover...)

No way, asp freezes with the best and always has. I vote for a spring event where it flooded, and it was still frozen under, and so it got soaked. or black walnut roots. if it is always draining and there is no BW, the plant is super tough.

Around here, the soil freezes to a depth of around six feet (average) but asparagus still grows fine. On the other hand, we have reliable snow cover all winter long, while you probably don't.

mary - I lost a lot of plants this winter. Some of the asparagus, mint, etc.

I think too many days above freezing with it being very dry did them in.

My asparagus roots died and im not sure why? I did not cut them back in fall bc they werent brown yet so waiting until they were and we had some freezing weather here in houston but tyey grow on the roads in colorado so I fear desease although i saw no signs on the frowns so i just dont know?! Any suggestions appreciated!!