Thank you for your question.

Cutting back and pruning can be done in late fall or early winter. The timing of this will be driven by the weather and not by specific calendar dates. Keep watch on the plant and when the ferns have turned brown and dried up, it's time to cut them back. Trim the dead fern growth to ground level, removing any remaining vegetation. This step helps prevent disease and pests from overwintering on the old foliage.

Some cutting back in early spring can also be done, again driven by the appearance of the plant. Watch for the first green spears to emerge from the ground. At that time cut back old, dead foliage from the previous year that you may not have previously removed. Prune these back to ground level, being careful not to damage the emerging spears.

See the following for further information on these and related points:

https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/faq/when-can-i-cut-back-my-asparagus-foliage - :~:text=Question%3A-,When can I cut back my asparagus foliage%3F,allowed to stand over winter.

https://extension.umn.edu/commercial-fruit-growing-guides/harvesting-asparagus

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/should_this_years_asparagus_fern_be_cut_in_the_fall - :~:text=Asparagus fern can be mowed,this state earlier than others.

Good luck and thanks for using our forum.

On Wed, Oct 25, 2023 at 12:03 PM, Ask Extension

<<personal data hidden>> wrote:

On Wed, Oct 25, 2023 at 12:03 PM, Ask Extension

<<personal data hidden>> wrote:

Thanks for your question.

Covering your asparagus over the impending winter would be a good idea. A light layer of straw should work nicely. See:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/asparagus/winterizing-asparagus-beds.htm - :~:text=The idea when winterizing asparagus,organic materials over the crowns.

https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-asparagus

https://www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/winterize-asparagus-plants-18068155.php

Good luck. Thanks for asking us.