I planted asparagus crowns 2.5 weeks ago. I fed the bed with good compost and when I tested the soil it had a pH of 6.8 (with a home kit). I have 2 questions:
The shoots are coming up, but they are thin and spindly. I'm confused about how/when to mound soil around the shoots.

1. Should I be continually mounding more soil over the just-emerging shoots - to encourage them to grow thicker? (shoots emerge, i mound an inch of soil, shoots re-emerge, I mound another inch of soil on top...etc)

2. If I understand correctly, I should just let these shoots grow until they fern and turn brown, then cut them down and fertilize in the fall. correct?

thank you for your help.