Asparagus

Asparagus will shoot up while you're not looking! It's not uncommon for the spears to grow this long. However, you need to harvest them when they are 4 to 10 inches long--or they may taste fibrous. Harvest at least every other day when they are growing.
Just snap off the spears at ground level; do not allow stubs to remain.

Your asparagus crown should be planted in a relatively deep trench, but as it grows you should be pushing soil into the trench until it reaches ground level. Then, in the second or third year (sources are mixed on how long to wait to harvest after planting), you cut or break (snap) off the spears (sources are mixed on the harvest technique, too) at the soil surface--not below the soil.
During the final harvest of the season, prune (cut or snap off) the remaining spears at the soil surface. However, do not cut back the ferns/foliage while it is still green; in fact, you can let it stand through the winter and cut it in the spring.
We hope this helps.

The rule of thumb is bending: some sources now say that is can be beneficial to harvest spears in their second year of growth (that it's not necessary to wait until the third year). Harvest by snapping off, not cutting, spears of 7 to 9 inches height that have tight tips. Leave the tops, or fern, as long as they are green. If the plants are healthy, you can leave the fern tops through the winter, then cut or mow them down before new growth appears in spring. We hope this helps!

Hi, Yes the tips & upper stalk will freeze & when the warming sun hits it, the spear will shrivel & wilt. Kind Regards, Rod

I suppose you could experiment! You need to ensure the asparagus receives enough sun and especially soil moisture. Often, areas around cedars are acidic, dry, and shady--so drought-tolerant shade plants such as hostas do best. Also, take care not to dig too closely to the cedar tree and its root system.

Bonnie, Let's start with your last question first, you can acidify the soil by sprinkling it with sulfur. Sprinkle it on the soil, then water to "wash" the sulfur in. Do this occasionally and check the soil's pH. (Testers are available at nursery stores.) In our pH Preference chart (p. 272 in The 2013 Old Farmer's Almanac) we say, "Acidic, or sour, soil (below 7.0) is counteracted by applying finely ground limestone, and alkaline, or sweet, soil (above 7.0) is treated with sulfur."
This first question does not have an easy answer--there may be too many variables. Your neighbor was correct, but with a couple of years now passed, you should get something productive. It may be that next year (now your third year), that you will get results. Of course, the wrong pH may be the problem. Or the amount of nutrients in the soil; asparagus loves rich compost. Its roots are long—possible around six feet; could they be stunted by something in the location?? a wall, tree roots, or other? (One of our editors wanted to use asparagus as a foundation plant and, upon learning of the root length, pulled it out before it matured--but suggested this possibility.)
Lack of spears may just be poor growing conditions. This occurs in areas that have warmer climate. Asparagus need a cold "rest" period; lack of one can influence the plant's ability to store food and so grow successfully the next season. Alternatively, contact your local extension service; we list all of the states here: http://www.almanac.com/content/cooperative-extension-services
We hope this helps!

Cut the ferns when they turn brown in the fall. As long as they are green they're feeding the asparagus roots.

Once they fern, they shouldn't be cut, as 1) they'll be too tough & stringy to be edible; 2) those ferns are busy building roots for next Spring's shoots. If new stems emerge, those could be harvested.

Asparagus takes 3 years to mature and produce. A few thoughts though: If you dig up a crown, is it rotted? If so, your bed needs better drainage as asparagus don't like "wet feet." When you bought your crowns, did the roots look round and firm and did the crowns have lots of short, round points? This is what you want. If the roots are mostly flat, then the plant probably will not grow. Finally, we advise shallow planting--no more than 5 to 6 inches. Hope this helps. We don't know the issues but perhaps it's just a matter of waiting. Asparagus has been known to take its time!

my grandmother is head of a farmers market and upon asking the same question recently she stated in the fall. Dig as much of the root as possible.