If you want to harvest plenty of asparagus, you must always keep an eye on the vegetables, because the plant is susceptible to diseases and pests. But fear not - you can protect your plants.
Having your own asparagus in the garden is something very special. So you don't have to queue up in a long line in the morning to get reasonably fresh asparagus. And you are not exposed to the price increase. Having your own asparagus also means a lot of work, so you will probably enjoy it in a completely different way. Anyone who decides to grow asparagus should always pay close attention to their perennials, because they are threatened by many enemies. However, with optimal care and the right remedies, the asparagus will recover quickly and you can look forward to a bountiful harvest.
Common asparagus diseases and pests
Asparagus Rost
In terms of diseases, asparagus rust is particularly noteworthy. This is a fungus in which the spores attack the asparagus herb and destroy the leaves. The leaves first get orange-red, then brown spots and then the shoots die off.
Asparagus rust cannot be combated with natural means. Here it only helps to use an effective fungicide (such as this one). However, you can prevent asparagus rust by not placing the individual plants too close together. Moisture on the leaves should always dry quickly, so an airy location is important.
Root Rot
Root rot is also a common asparagus disease. The cause is a fungus (Fusarium) that is present in every soil but only strikes when the soil is permanently too wet. Loose, sandy soil and good drainage prevent waterlogging, so that root rot cannot develop in the first place.
You can recognize the disease above ground by the fact that the plants sprout very poorly. The roots are black and rotted inside. The asparagus plants then die.
Asparagus root rot is almost impossible to treat, prevention with a well-aerated soil is the only choice for home gardeners.
TypicalAsparagus pests
Asparagus Fly
The asparagus fly can be observed especially in new plants. She lays her eggs on the tips of the young shoots from April. The hatched larvae feed on the shoots, which then quickly die off. Asparagus flies multiply massively, as an antidote there are special casting preparations (such as this one here). As a precaution, you can stretch fine-meshed nets over the asparagus beds. This is particularly useful with green asparagus. White asparagus is protected by the mound of earth or additional foil.
Asparagus beetle and asparagus chicken
Asparagus chickens have black wings with red edges and four or six white spots on the wings. The asparagus beetle is orange and has twelve black dots on its wings. Both beetles become active from May and lay their larvae on the shoots. The above-ground parts are particularly at risk. Asparagus plants that are protected by piled up soil and foil are hardly affected.
The only countermeasure that usually helps is to collect the pests. The beetles are easy to spot. The sooner you intervene, the better you will prevent the bugs from multiplying and reappearing the next year. Insecticides should not be used on edible vegetables in the garden.