The male plant develops more spears or stems than the female plant, but the stems are smaller in diameter. Yields are not appreciably different between the sexes. After the first year, small red berries form on the female plants in late summer. Fertilize asparagus the same way as the rest of the garden during the first three years. Starting the fourth year and after that, apply the same amount of fertilizer but delay application until after harvest in June or July.
Weeds can be a major problem for asparagus.
They compete with developing spears and decrease yield and quality. Start frequent, light cultivation in the spring in both young plantings and patches that are being harvested. Harvesting Harvest asparagus in the second year after planting crowns, but do not harvest for more than one month the first time. When the diameter of the spears is less than the size of a pencil, cease harvesting. The plant is still expanding its feeder roots and storage root system, and excessive removal of spears weakens the plant.