Wild Asparagus

Hunting Wild Asparagus

One of my favorite early spring activities in the Bitterroot Valley is collecting bunches of wild asparagus. There is nothing quite as delicious as fresh wild asparagus lightly grilled over an open fire.

I’m sure you have noticed people picking asparagus along the road. Some of you may have wondered what these people were doing. The next time you come across someone picking alongside the road in early spring, make note of that spot for your picking next spring.

Spring is for Picking but Fall is for Locating

Asparagus spears are hard to locate in the spring. Once they mature, they take on a fern-like appearance. Then in autumn, they turn a burnt orange color that is easy to spot. I make note of

Asparagus season can begin anywhere from mid April through mid May

patches when I spot them. I have found the best picking to be away from roadside areas. The roadside patches are picked heavily and it takes an early bird to beat the crowd. Otherwise, you’ll only find cutoff stumps of what was once a promising patch of asparagus.

Check Asparagus Patches Starting in Mid April

As soon as the weather begins to warm, it is time to start checking patches for early growth. The asparagus season can begin anywhere from mid April through mid May, depending on the weather. Picking lasts until July. Do not over harvest your patches. When the stalk size gets noticeably smaller it is time to suspend harvesting to allow the plant to regain strength. A good asparagus root will produce well for decades if it is not over harvested.

Asparagus can be canned, picked and frozen, in addition to eaten fresh. It is not uncommon to pick 5-10 pounds in a couple of hours if you have found some productive patches. So, get out there and gather yourself some of the Bitterroot Valley’s wild asparagus.