I planted 4 asparagus crowns this spring. My husband purchased some seeds the same day. He sprinkled the seeds around where I had put the crowns not really expecting them to grow. Well they did and now I have a very thick asparagus patch. Do I need to thin it? Will so many plants interfere with getting an edible crop? He keeps telling me not to worry, that it grows in ditches but I really want to be able to eat from my patch in the next couple years. Thanks for your help!

My eyes could be failing me, but that doesn't look like Asparagus to me, but rather, 'Plumosa Fern.' It's not really a fern, more closely related to Asparagus the vegetable, if I remember correctly, but it's a houseplant really (although, some do grow these outdoors in more mild climates). It also goes by the name 'Asparagus Fern.' It's new growth looks like tiny asparagus, hence the monkier (there are other asparagus ferns that do the same), but I don't believe it's edible.

Hi and welcome, Sue. If you planted your asparagus roots fairly deep, then it should be not too hard to move the plants that grew from seed, as their roots will surely be closer to the soil surface. I would do that and make yourself a bigger bed of asparagus. You can't have too much!

Soak the area really well with water first, and even try gently spraying off some of the surface soil so you can separate the younger seedling roots from the old ones if they are close together. Try not to tear roots if you can help it, and also try not to disturb the plants you planted as roots.

Hamwild has gone blind because that is exactly what asparagus look like if you don't cut them down (let them grow for a couple more years before your first harvest then only cut the ones that are bigger than a pencil).

Your husband is right - they grow in ditches. I don't know where you live but in Central California (asparagus capital of the world), the irrigation ditches are overgrown with asparagus. It hardly made it worth growing myself. Just send the kids out to scour the ditches.

Elaine is right. Those seedlings can be easily transplanted. But... because we don't know where you live, it may be advisable to wait until spring when they come back up. If you are in Central California, transplant away. Otherwise, spring.

::schedules eye exam::