[wannabesmallholder]

I planted asparagus and rhubarb crowns this year (rhubarb in January and asparagus in May). I understand the advice is not to take a harvest in the first year, but am a bit confused about what to do with the plant once it's grown, if you're not harvesting it? The bits I've read on asparagus says don't harvest, but then prune down to just above the surface in autumn. If you're chopping it back anyway, how is that different to taking a harvest? But if I don't chop them both back what will happen to it all - does it just rot away?

Anyone help?! 

[PK]

By allowing the stems to grow and develop their foliage it helps build reserves over the summer in the roots and crown for next year's growth. That's why, when plants are established, you only crop for a short period and leave remaining stems to grow on.

[wannabesmallholder]

So do I prune the plants in the autumn or leave them?

[PK]

Yes prune in the autumn and mulch the bed.

[wannabesmallholder]

Prune asparagus and rhubarb too?

[PK]

With rhubarb I clear away the decaying leaves in the autumn and also mulch with well rotted manure.

[wannabesmallholder]

Ok thanks @PK