Wild Asparagus

[dberl09]

When in central/southern Minnesota is the best time to pick wild asparagus, and how long until it gets too "Woody"?

[canman]

I usually pick from mid May through early July. By early July most of my patches are overgrown and woody. I also find that the new shoots in early July are woody at very short heights.

[walleyeslayr]

I agree, mid May to mid June.

[fishandshroom]

A little later in my neck o the woods I often pick some during the same time as morels. Later May.

[MOBY RICHARD*]

Anyone have any pictures in the various stages???

Also wondering what kind of soils and light and conditions to look for...

[nate larson]

I am interested in looking for asparagus also. I have never looked for it before. Someone told me it is best to find the plants in the fall and then mark them for the spring. Does anyone have any pictures of it in the fall or the spring?

[rainylakefisher]

Look along wooded edges, ditches, and fence rows. When I was a pre-shooler, my mom used to take me on drives where I would look out the window and tell her when I saw it. She would stop with her trusty paring knife and harvest the shoots. Look for the tell-tale foliage (much finer textured than most any other plant) and you'll probably find some edible shoots at the bottom.

[Juneau4]

Do a search on the web and you can find all sorts of pictures.

[MinnesotaMongo]

I remember as a kid driving home from church (15 miles) - mom and dad always had their favorite spots along the road where we would cut the asparagus in the spring. Brings back good memories

[Papa Grump]

I thought I would throw this back to the top. Couple of pics here, one is a wild patch in a ditch, the other is in the home garden. Gives you an idea of what to look for in regards to finding next year's crop.

this is in the garden

[Arctic Cat Pete]

Can the wild be transplated easily?

[Papa Grump]

Nature seems to dictate the results from transplanting. It can be frustrating, to say the least.

Once you get a stand established, it pretty much grows every year as long as you let it go to seed. The stuff in the yard is half wild.

[Arctic Cat Pete]

Thanks,I found a big stand of it in a road ditch and think I will dig up some of it and try,

[half-dutch]

"Wild" asparagus in the US is all escaped from cultivation, since it is not native here. I don't see the point in collecting wilds, since the same plant is available so cheap and easy in the proper planting season from just about any nursery or garden center in the country.

[Burchoid]

"Wild" asparagus in the US is all escaped from cultivation, since it is not native here. I don't see the point in collecting wilds, since the same plant is available so cheap and easy in the proper planting season from just about any nursery or garden center in the country.

I don't understand your point. Folks who like the outdoors have always gone out of their way harvest berries, mushrooms, fruits, vegetables, various animals, etc that would probably just be easier to obtain by purchasing in a store.

There's something special about eating food you harvested yourself. Asparagus and Ramps are often 'afterthoughts' for morel hunters in the spring.