Asparagus seeds didn't come up 2nd year

I have a great bed of asparagus, which is about 8 years old. We gets lots of asparagus.

Last year we started a new bed from seed. The soil is similar, right beside the old bed. The plants looked healthy all summer, they were doing well. But only one tiny stalk has come up out of about 12 plants. And that plant only has one stalk.

The old asparagus is going strong. We've been eating it for weeks.

Any thoughts?

thanks, Debbie