Fact Sheet - Asparagus: Spring Pest Control

This fact sheet details spring pest control tips for growing asparagus.

Slugs

Plan for slug management as early as you can to reduce numbers before bud break in uncovered crops. Slugs feed underground in the spring and this can cause spears to be bent when they break ground. Control can be achieved with products containing ferric phosphate (e.g. Sluxx HP).

Weeds

A key focus now should be weeds as these will soon start to emerge and swift action will help to prevent weeds from establishing and risking overgrowth of the crop. Roundup (glyphosate) can be used over cut stumps to control grasses and other perennials, particularly couch grass. This will work slowly but effectively, even during a mild spell. However, later emerging perennials like thistles will not be effected. Early April is a good time to begin weed sprays to catch late germinating weeds although dry soils conditions will reduce the efficacy of residual herbicides (although drier ground will aid applications and residuals should not be applied to waterlogged fields).

Weed control treatments should be applied while the crop is dormant (before the emergence of spears) to minimize the risk of crop damage. Herbicide choice is limited and the selection of herbicide depends on the range of weeds expected. 

The factsheet is available for downloaded here: Fact sheet - Asparagus Spring Pest Control

Disclaimer

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information and recommendations given in these notes.  All applications of crop protection chemicals should be made in accordance with label recommendations, which should be consulted before spraying.  Some of the pesticides mentioned in these notes may not be supported by label recommendations for their use on pumpkin crops but are permissible via Extension of Authorisation for Minor Use (EAMU) in the UK under ‘The Revised Long Term Arrangements For Extension Of Use (2002)’.  In these cases, the use of the pesticide is at the risk of the user and Tyfu Cymru does not accept liability for any loss or damage caused by such use. The references to on-label approvals and EAMUs for use of pesticides in pumpkin crops and are correct at the time of writing. These are subject to change and approval may be withdrawn at any point. It is the grower's responsibility to check approvals before use of pesticides. If in doubt a grower should seek advice from a BASIS qualified advisor - this is available free of charge for eligible growers through the Tyfu Cymru program, please contact us to arrange an appointment – email/telephone advice is also available. 

Image by Matthias Böckel from Pixabay