[Paulj]

I've finally managed to clear most of my allotment from the larger 3ft tall weeds now, and have also identified the asparagus and cut that down too.  The only problem I have is there's quite a lot of couch grass around the asparagus bed.

I wanted to get manure on whilst there was still some of the well rotted stuff available, but obviously want to get rid of the couch grass first.

If I remove the couch grass am I going to disturb the asparagus too much? If so what do I do about putting manure on the bed (I assume it will just encourage the grass even more)? 

[JayG]

With any luck a layer of manure will weaken the couch for a while until it realises it's "birthday time" - pull it out as soon as you see it and then persevere (sometimes you just have do what you can rather than what the textbooks say is ideal - it's quite difficult to remove perennial weeds from established asparagus beds, but doing your best is always better than just hoping for the best.) 

[Hamani]

Yeah you'll have to just keep weeding it as it pops up. You'll weaken it eventually. Just be persistent with it.

[DD.]

I zap mine early April with Resolva 24, the weeds have started to grow, but the asparagus hasn't popped up.

Have a real good look first in case there are any early risers!

[Trillium]

If the asparagus is already sprouting, I wait until after a good rain and hand pull the couch. Amazing how it comes out in long lengths.   

[DD.]

Not in my ground it doesn't - and compared to others it's quite light!

[Trillium]

Would you like mine then?   

[DD.]

I don't think so!

But even on my ground there is absolutely no way you could pull twitch out!

[Trillium]

Sounds like my clay soil isn't so hard after all 

After every heavy rain I'll be out there pulling out handfuls of the stuff. I've had some at least a yard long.

[DD.]

No way could I pull it out.

Same with bindweed. I'll get a reasonable run, then - "snap" the sickening sound of a bit of root left. 

[BabbyAnn]

I zap mine early April with Resolva 24, the weeds have started to grow, but the asparagus hasn't popped up.

Have a real good look first in case there are any early risers!

I've successfully cleared an asparagus bed of invading couch grass with glyphosate in early spring - it was so simple and easy 

On the other note, I had some rogue asparagus (maybe self seeded?) established on part of my plot that I didn't get round to digging and clearing until last - the glyphosate treatment for the couch grass and other perennial weeds seemed to have absolutely no effect on asparagus!  :blink:  It amazed me just how hardy asparagus can be - it got trampled on, covered, choked with weeds, sprayed ... and still survived until I finally got the fork in.  However, to be on the safe side for plants you want to keep, yes it would be a good idea to look for early risers 

[Paulj]

Would it be futile to put the weedkiller on the couch grass now? I don't mind pulling up the larger roots when I'm digging the lotty over as I did this on my last one when I started that as it had similar problems, and although time consuming this really did the trick for the most part.

I really don't want to damage the asparagus (I've inherited it, and have had several people tell me it's the best one on the site, so really don't want to be the idiot that destroys it!), and have ripped up a few clumps that come up easily, but anything that is deeper I have been leaving.

[JayG]

If you don't want to risk using weedkiller then hand-weeding is the only choice you have (it is possible to move asparagus but not much fun - when fully established some of the roots will be at least 3-4' down so it's hard to get them out without damaging many of the roots and setting the plants back.)

Even couch grass will eventually give up, but you mustn't give it any chance to gain enough strength to re-establish itself, so constant vigilance will be required.

Good luck, home grown asparagus comes second only to sweetcorn in my yum-yummy list!