To harvest asparagus successfully, follow these key steps:
When to Harvest
- Asparagus spears are ready to harvest in spring, typically starting in the third year after planting one-year-old crowns (or the fourth year if grown from seed)
- The harvesting season lasts about 6 to 8 weeks, usually from mid-April to late June, depending on your location
- Begin harvesting when spears are about 5 to 8 inches (13-20 cm) tall and roughly the diameter of your finger or pencil. Spears shorter than 6 inches may not yield the best harvest, and spears longer than 10 inches may become tough as they begin to fern out
- Stop harvesting when the spears become thin (less than pencil diameter) or when 3/4 of the shoots are less than about 3/8 inch thick, to avoid stressing the plants
How to Harvest
- Harvest in the morning when the spears are cool and fresh
- Use a clean, sharp knife, pruning shears, or a dedicated asparagus knife to cut the spears about an inch below soil surface. Cutting below ground helps reduce water loss and keeps spears firm longer
- Alternatively, if you don’t have a knife, you can snap the spears off at ground level by bending them until they break. Avoid pulling spears out, as this can damage the underground crown and reduce future yields
- Cut or snap the spears close to their base without disturbing nearby emerging shoots to prevent damage
- Harvest every 2 to 3 days during the season to encourage continuous spear production
After Harvest
- After the harvest season ends, allow the remaining spears to grow into ferns, which will help the plant store energy for next year’s crop
- Cut back the ferns in the fall to prepare the bed for the next season
Additional Tips
- Male asparagus plants generally produce thicker, more abundant spears than female plants, which put energy into seed production
- Properly managed asparagus beds can produce for 15 to 30 years
By following these guidelines, you can enjoy tender, flavorful asparagus while maintaining a healthy, productive asparagus bed for many years
