The idea behind burning is that you'll kill off any diseases/pests that might otherwise overwinter in the dead ferns. I've never burned my dead ferns, but I've never had disease/pest problems in my asparagus, either.

Ed

I don't burn either, never have. Just compost them.

Dave

I do remove the top of those plants (not asparagus, but tomato, cucurbita, and pepper for example) that have had diseases. But there is no need to burn them if you can use them far enough away from the patch. And I did not start removing them until diseases appeared.

I make a small pile somewhere on the lawn, on the other side of the house, and mow it into bits. In the spring they are completely gone and the grass has a bit of organic matter.

I've never burnt them myself, either (burning of household

Thanks everyone. I don't detect any diseases and I need the greens for the compost so I'll just go ahead!
Nancy

If you have problems with asparagus beetles eating your asparagus tips in the spring, the beetle eggs winter over in the foliage. You're much better off if you burn or trash the foliage.

Nancy,

I agree wholeheartedly with "yogagarden". Beetles do and will overwinter in the dead stalks. For those who have no problem with asparagus beetles, I say great! That said, I've never seen a patch with no beetles.

As for disposing of the stalks away from the garden, say 100 feet, forget it! If you've never observed an asparagus beetle in flight you'd be amazed at their range and speed...they're like little bullets when they decide to fly and can cover a hundred feet in a second or two.

My advice, for those who care, burn!....or give to your trash hauler to take to his landfill. Hopefully, this will be far enough away to plague someone else, not you! ~grin~ Still, burning is the best option if you're allowed by law to do so.

Hal

yes indeed, a clean gus patch is a happy gus patch, clean them up and get rid of those last years ferns, as others have said you will see the difference when the spears start coming...mmmmmm steamed with a bit of cheddar grated over them.