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  • From: lauren cathcart <ltlfarmaz AT yahoo.com>
  • To: market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [Market-farming] asparagus
  • Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2003 12:11:15 -0700 (PDT)

i have a small CSA in the phoenix area.  my season for planting is just starting and i am really looking forward to being outside for more than a few hours in the fairly cool morning.  
i have four beds of asparagus that i planted about 8 years ago.  in spite of my best efforts it has pretty much become a bermuda lawn.  as a matter of fact, last season i would harvest the asparagus, remove the t-tape, mow with the riding lawn mower, put the tapes back, water, harvest, move, mow... i did that for  2 months.  i was only able to pick about 120 pounds off of the 450 plants.  i doubt next season i will do as well- each season gets worse.
i have debated about digging up the roots and trying to get all the bermuda out and then replanting in new beds.   i mow the dry tops in november after we have some frost (hopefully) and the spears start coming up in late february, usually.  would it be best to dig them in november (nice and cool) or after the harvest in april (way hot)?  
the other option sounds better- start over with new roots this winter.  it is difficult to find dormant roots for planting in the winter- last time i planted them in april (johnnys).  if anyone has advice or suggestions, i would appreciate it.
thanks,
lauren cathcart
little farm in gilbert
gilbert, az.       


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