Asparagus is available year-round, but spring is the best season for this nutritious vegetable. Crops are harvested from late February to June, with April being the prime month and high season for asparagus.
What is the best month to buy asparagus?
While asparagus is luckily usually found year-round in grocery stores, like most produce, it has a peak season. You will find the best asparagus during spring. Asparagus season usually starts around late February and goes until June, but the peak months are in April and May.
When can you buy fresh asparagus?
spring
And, although spring is the best season to find the freshest asparagus, this elegant-looking vegetable is now available year-round, mostly imported from Central and South America. Even though asparagus is a perennial and will, therefore, come back every year, harvesting asparagus is a laborious process.
What time of year is asparagus ripe?
Asparagus harvest starts at the end of April and usually lasts for three to four weeks depending on air temperatures.
When should I buy asparagus crowns?
Asparagus crowns can be purchased online, directly from garden centers or from nurseries and are generally available from mid-March into April for planting in spring. It is very common for growers to make pre-order purchases online in the early months of the year to ensure that stocks are still available in April.
Can you buy asparagus in January?
Asparagus is available year-round, but spring is the best season for this nutritious vegetable. Crops are harvested from late February to June, with April being the prime month and high season for asparagus. By the end of May, asparagus is at the end of its season in most locations.
Where does asparagus come from in March?
Asparagus may be harvested from January to early April in the southern desert valleys, from late February through May in the Delta and the San Joaquin Valley, and from March to mid-June on the Central Coast. California produces only green asparagus; white asparagus is no longer produced.
Should asparagus be refrigerated?
How to Store Asparagus. Keep asparagus in the fridge, in an unsealed plastic bag. If you want to store it for longer, wrap the bottoms in a damp paper towel, or place them upright in a jar with some water. Either of those techniques helps asparagus spears retain moisture and quality for much more than they usually do.
How long will asparagus last in the refrigerator?
Asparagus tastes best when cooked the day you buy it. If that’s not in the cards, store them as you would store cut flowers: Trim the bottoms and stand the spears up in a glass or jar with about an inch of water. Cover with a plastic bag then refrigerate them for up to 4 days.
How do you keep asparagus fresh longer?
If you are planning to use it right away, the best way to keep asparagus fresh is by wrapping the bunch with a few sheets of damp paper towel and placing it in a breathable plastic bag. Store it in the vegetable or crisper drawer of your fridge as soon as you come back from the grocery store.
Is purple asparagus better than Green?
2. Texture: Purple asparagus has a less fibrous texture than green and white asparagus. 3. Nutritional value: Compared to purple asparagus, green asparagus has higher levels of potassium, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C.
Can you eat asparagus raw?
Asparagus is a highly nutritious vegetable that can be eaten cooked or raw. Because of its tough texture, cooking is the most popular preparation method. However, thinly sliced or marinated raw spears can be equally enjoyable.
What is the health benefits of eating asparagus?
The Bottom Line
It’s low in calories and a great source of nutrients, including fiber, folate and vitamins A, C and K. Additionally, eating asparagus has a number of potential health benefits, including weight loss, improved digestion, healthy pregnancy outcomes and lower blood pressure.
Will asparagus spread on its own?
Yes, asparagus will spread as it grows. Asparagus roots can spread out up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) underground. Asparagus ferns (mature spears with foliage) can spread out 3 feet (90 centimeters) above ground. An older, more mature asparagus plant will send up more spears from its larger crown and energy reserves.
How long do asparagus beds last?
The patience is well worth it, though, as asparagus beds can be productive for 15, 20, sometimes up to 30 years. Because asparagus stays productive for so long, it’s important to plant the best variety available for your area.
Will asparagus grow in a raised bed?
By planting the asparagus crowns in a raised bed with a soil mix that includes loamy, organic matter, you can ensure good drainage. Another reason to plant asparagus in a raised bed is because it is a perennial crop and can remain productive for 10 to 12 years.
What should I look for when buying asparagus?
Avoid stalks that appear limp or wilted. The tips of asparagus should be closed and compact, free from spreading or softness. Color: Asparagus should be should be rich in green color, softly fading to white at the bottom of the stalk. Avoid those dull in color, as this indicates the asparagus is passed freshness.
Where does asparagus come from in December?
During the late winter, asparagus begins showing up from Mexico and the prices tend to go down.
Which state grows the most asparagus?
Michigan
(WXYZ) — Here’s something you probably didn’t know: Michigan produces the most asparagus in the country. According to Agriculture Facts and Figures from the state government, Michigan produces up to 23 million pounds of the vegetable annually. Michigan growers harvest approximately 9,500 acres annually.
Is asparagus a man made vegetable?
Asparagus is considered “man-made” through the process of selective breeding. It was bred to improve specific characteristics like its size and taste.
What is a single asparagus called?
So, when we say asparagus, we are referring to a group item, and we already mean “more than one spear of asparagus.” The word asparagus means the same as ‘some asparagus‘ or ‘some spears of asparagus. ‘
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.