[Jonajo]

should i be doing anything with the asparagus I planted last year? It was cut back and mulched last autumn - now there are some of the brown twiggy stems a few inches high (as indeed they seem to be on everyone else's plots (I am nosey).  But apart from the weeding I did today, need I do something such as cover with manure or something? Or just leave it to do its thing?

[Trillium]

No need to overfeed asparagus. And don't pick anything this year, or next. Just let it all grow into ferny like stalks which will feed the roots and encourage fatter growth for the following years. This fall you can sprinkle a bit more manure for them, but that's about it. Just keep it weeded.

[mr Isaccs]

Your not the only nosey one Jonajo, I'm constantly snooping round all the other plot holders patches (in a good way of course ) whilst they're still sound asleep in their beds
   I just mulched last year with a bit of poo n straw (not sure how long the bed has been going as it's only my second year on this plot).
   Looked the other day and there were loads of green shoots popping up, after pinching and smelling it apears to be garlic.
   Why that would be in my asparagus patch I don't know, I don't think there's any benefit from planting asparagus and garlic together. Or is there?

[Trillium]

Sounds more like someone was trying to squeeze in more crops by interplanting. It's okay with young asparagus shoots but not older ones as the roots become quite massive and spread out which would make any interplants suffer.

[Pompey Spud]

I topped dressed my 2nd year bed with some growmore.

[corynsboy]

Me too Pompey Spud.

I just gave each of my four small beds a shot of growmore last Tuesday just as the weather broke.

The straw and manure has been on since the ferns were cut back in October.  My one year old crowns were planted last April.

So just just weeding and sitting on my hands for another year.