Greetings all,
I planted 20 crowns of the jersey varieties this past march and april. The plants have ferned out well and look nice and green but almost all of them are laying down on their sides like they can't stay upright on their own. What does this mean? Is there something I need to do?

Green peppers: Very slow growing and peppers all get about the size of a peach and then get brown spots on them. I read somewhere about spraying them with a solution of epsom salt and water. Has anyone tried this?

Many thanks for any advice.

I'm not growing asparagus here in VA yet, but did in Zone 7 NY. Other than the sprawling, if the ferns look healthy otherwise, I wouldn't worry too much about it this first season. First-year growth (spears & ferns alike) tend to be thin & spindly, then increase in girth & gusto annually. After Years 3-4, they become a veritable fern jungle - frequently growing over 5 feet! I'm assuming you didn't pick any spears from this year's crop. Asparagus should really be let alone the first 2-3 years to get a good start. Really not a hardship when you realize that the plants can heartily produce for 50+ years.

As for your peppers, there are a number of things it could be. Here's a good link on commercial pepper-growing in VA that has good descriptions of the various diseases if you scroll down a bit. Should be just as helpful to you in NC.

CROP PROFILE FOR BELL PEPPERS IN VA

I didn't pick any spears this year. Thanks for the link!

I am surprised no one has heard of spraying pepper plants with a soultion of epsom salts and water?? anyone anyone

Thomis,

How's the fishing been this year down there?

Yep, off topic, that's me!

Baking soda and water, not epsom salt though.