A couple years ago I made this bed for strawberries but they didn't do that great & didn't come back. I think mainly because there was nothing to keep the rabbits & deer from eating them. A fence is definately on the agenda. I'll also be adding another block at each end so its more flush.

I laid cardboard down & then dumped bags of cheap manure, compost, & soil. I have dumped some old straw left from a bale & I see pine needles have dropped so should I get that out or leave? I will be using better quality everything. Do I dig everything out & start over or build from this?

Since it's near pines, check the pH on that soil. Asparagus needs neutral to slightly acidic pH (7 to 6.5) but dislikes strongly acidic soils. Anything under 6 requires the addition of lime to increase the pH.

If you're willing to "dig everything out and start over" I think you should move the bed away from the trees. As El Pollo points out asparagus does not like acidic soil but it does like lots of sun. Looking at how the leaves are laying on the bed it appears the trees are probably blocking some of the sun light.