Question: Do I need to cut off the old brown asparagus stems during the winter?

Answer: Asparagus needs to go dormant in the winter if you are going to expect any size to the following spring’s spears. In South Texas you often have to cut green stems back in early December, just to force the dormant period. In North Texas, however, your plants will turn yellow and brown with the first hard freeze. At that point, you can cut them back near the ground, or just leave them in place until late winter.