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Post by swamper on Jun 17, 2012 20:00:26 GMT -5
I was saddened to see that my asparagus planting is being completely overun by asparagus beetles, mostly now in the larval stage. The ferns appear to be defoliating and dying from the tops down.
My intuition is to cut them all, mow the area and rake clean the surface as much possible, then later mulch and hope they come back next year.
Any advice is welcome. I'm in Connecticut, where we had a mild winter last winter.
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edwin
gardener
Posts: 141
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Post by edwin on Jun 17, 2012 20:18:41 GMT -5
Our experience with Asparagus beetles:
We have two types. Type 1 lays its eggs inside the seed of asparagus. Its red with black spots.
Type 2 lays its eggs on the stems of the asparagus. It is red with black and white down the back.
I go hunting once a day and knock them into the jar of death.
Recently we sprayed our asparagus with insecticidal soap to kill all the larva. It got most of them. The rest I sacrificed to the jar of death.
Seems to keep them under control. Last year some of our asparagus fronds were stripped. Most re-grew. First year plantings did not all survive if I remember right.
We have about 150 sq ft of asparagus with space for another 150 sq ft.
The mild winter really sucks. (did I say that?!) Ferdzy was all excited about all the butterflies earlier on...
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Post by ferdzy on Jun 17, 2012 21:03:50 GMT -5
Was. WAS.
Yeah, I wouldn't cut them down yet. Do clean up well in the fall. If you have the patience to do it, hand picking/insecticidal soap will keep them under control, although probably not gone.
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Post by swamper on May 24, 2021 19:06:42 GMT -5
I'm in a new location with a 1 year old row of asparagus. The beetles appeared today and I expect they will multiply. Does anyone have any better advice? The prospect of hand picking feels like a losing battle and I don't want a non-organic solution. TIA. Chris
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