Asparagus seed is routinely collected by birds who eat the pulp and groom or excrete the seed.
It is easy to forage seed. It stays on the plant well into winter. Or dig crowns early in the spring from along fence rows (where birds poop em out)
Mary Washington has been on offer as seed or crowns for all of my adult life. There are also purple cultivars on offer.
If you are absolutely determined to wring every possible spear from your patch look at one of the super-male offerings.
I always start mine from seed. The cost-benefit for this homesteader makes crowns out of my price point.
