Asparagus bed needs some TLC

Q. I have an asparagus patch, 20 by 40 feet, about 40 years old.

It is overgrown with grass and weeds and the asparagus is spindly.

What can I do to eliminate grass and weeds and make asparagus healthier?

A.

Use a hoe to remove the weeds early in the season, to avoid damaging the plants.

Then mulch the bed with shredded leaves, herbicide-free grass clippings, evergreen needles or other organic material to help suppress the weeds. This is the only non-chemical option.

You also can use corn gluten meal to prevent weed seeds from sprouting.

However, this organic weed preventer will not kill existing weeds. Roundup, a non-selective herbicide, can be used to kill existing weeds.

Just make sure it does not touch the emerging spears, as that will damage and possibly kill your asparagus plants.

Do not use salt. This old garden remedy damages the soil, and repeated use will cause a reduction in your harvest.

Improve the health and vigor of your asparagus by fertilizing this spring. Use a well-rotted manure or low-nitrogen fertilizer according to label directions.

Maintain a layer of organic mulch on the soil surface.

As it breaks down, it adds nutrients and organic matter to the soil.

Q. On a recent TV interview you showed starting seeds in plastic gallon milk jugs.

Is there a site I can see this on?

Also, I plan on growing sunflowers up at our cottage in Rhinelander.

Will sunflowers, and what other flowers would, do well there?

When should I start the seeds?

A.

The technique is called winter sowing. The milk jug serves as a mini cold frame, allowing you to start seeds earlier outdoors.

You also eliminate the need for a sunny window or lights and daily watering that is needed when starting seeds indoors.

I first learned about winter sowing at the Fort Wayne Home and Garden Show. I plan on starting a few seeds this week with my grandkids. You’ll find a variety of planting recommendations on the internet.

Dates vary based on the growing climate, individual gardeners and the seeds you are planting. Make a few notes to help you fine-tune your planting schedule in the future.

Plant hardy perennials anytime during winter. Most gardeners find January a good time to start. Cold weather has arrived and the holidays are over.

Plant cool-season annuals like pansies and snapdragons and vegetables like broccoli in February and March.

Warm-season plants like your sunflowers and tomatoes, in late March or April.

For more details on this growing method, visit