Viewing post #516982 by drdawg

When I planted my three plants in April, 2011, they were just tiny plants. In 2012, I did not harvest any spears at all of those plants and those plants became a group 2' wide and 3' tall. Again, in 2013, I harvested none of the spears and now the plants foliage became 5' wide and 6' high. Next year is my year to finally enjoy the harvest. I expect to get enough spears to easily last the summer. I think I had approximately 50 spears with foliage this summer and should have many more next summer. I will do most of my harvesting through June, but since I cage my plants in, forcing the foliage to grow upwards rather than drooping down, I should be able to find edible spears even when I allow the spears to leaf.

We use asparagus in salads (raw) and put them on the grill with a bit of olive oil and minced fresh garlic, and salt/pepper to taste. Next summer my wife has promised to make cream of asparagus soup, leaving small chunks of the tips to cook as well.