March and April have been cold. Not much rain; but everything is green. The stalks are over two feet high. Only difference from last year is I put down a healthy coat of cow manure.
Cow manure is pure Nitrogen, so I’ll change my answer - they’re growing faster than they normally do and once they hit a certain height, they WILL frond out. Let those spears do their thing - they’ll put energy back into the root system for next year.
Other than mulching them well during the season and over winter, and making sure they get enough water, I will occasionally use a fertilizer that has a high Phosphorous number in the N-P-K formula. (Nitrogen-Phosphorous-Potassium)
You’ve now seen what happens when they (or any veggie plant) gets a big shot of Nitrogen. :) Jack and the Beanstalk-like growth! :)
You can also use a well-balanced 10-10-10 granular if you prefer, but just fertilize every few season. Asparagus is one veggie you can pretty much ignore except for it getting enough water. If manure is your go-to, then give them a top dressing in the Fall, versus the Spring. It will break down more over the course of the winter and not be as nitrogen-rich come spring. If it was FRESH cow manure, don’t use that, anymore. Let it sit in the compost pile for a season before using it on anything in your garden.
I picked enough asparagus this morning to roast for supper, tonight. The skinny spears I’m saving to chop up and add to scrambled eggs for breakfast, tomorrow. There is NEVER any leftover asparagus to use up around here. ;)