Asparagus issue

[Gaz_W]

Hi all,
Hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful weather.

I got my first allotment a few months ago and have been working to tidy etc.
A while ago, I realised that I had a bed of asparagus in the middle of the plot.
I have been harvesting it (and enjoying it) as I have been working, but now the shoots are coming though bushy.
I am told that I can no longer harvest and if I cut these shoots, the plants will die.

If I can, I want to save them as I love asparagus.
But how do I go about weeding around them (covered in grass) or moving them without damaging the roots.

Is it even worth saving them or should I dig them out and start again?

Thanks in advance for any help or advice anyone can offer.

[Gaz_W]

Ok, I have done some reasearch and it looks like moving them is out of the question without a big risk of loosing them.

I also realise now that I should cut the shoots down when they foliage turns yellow & brown and then cover them over with soil.

It seems now that my issue is going to be weeding around the shoots and getting rid of all the grass and weeds.

Am I better, sucking it up and doing it by hand?

[Normski]

It's normal to harvest asparagus from when it first shows until longest day (today) and then allow the shoots to grow to full size ferns in order to replenish the roots for next year.It's a good idea to feed them at this time with some growmore or similar -they've worked hard and deserve some thanks.If your site is windy some support is helpful although not essential but putting stakes in may damage some roots so maybe stake each end and string between for support.
You probably need to decide whether the amount you have harvested this year justifies leaving the existing 'bed' for another year or so or whether you would be better to dig this one up and start again elsewhere. If you start a new bed it will be 2 years at least before you can harvest a few spears so if space allows it may be an idea to keep your current bed whilst a new one establishes.
Weeding an asparagus bed is difficult - the roots are shallow and spread out and are easily damaged. Basically you need to do any weeding from above by pulling out, not digging or hoeing, most weeds will break off and regrow so weeding will need doing time and time again! That is why it's very important to have an area free of all weeds, but particularly perennial weeds before planting the crop - it will be there for 10 years or more so getting it right first is worth the effort.
Don't let this put you off, just consider working on the weed clearing and soil condition of a potential bed for maybe an extra year before committing to planting.