Since fewer asparagus spears are destined for canning this spring, more are available fresh. Phytophthora on left, healthy at center, fusarium crown rot on right. Snaped also partners with others to bring ebt to more markets. Then spread a layer of mulch and wait until next year. Instead, kearns suggests asparagus gatherers stick to private land they have permission to be on and state, county and municipal parks that allow the harvesting of wild edibles. However, this product is stored and available in other seasons from local sources. Grilled fontina and asparagus sandwiches with mushrooms. Of course, these days asparagus is available almost yearround, but the off season produce from south america has never seemed as tasty to us and the real homegrown treasure. The story of washington asparagus ordinary adventures. Martha washington, jersey giant, jersey king, jersey knight. Chef gene fritz, culinary educator of the school of hospitality business management at washington state university, says he prefers to use local and seasonal foods when preparing special meals at the presidents house. I have been looking for information on a similar lookalike found the the same habitat as the wild asparagus, often growing directly next to it. Washington state is amongst the top growers of asparagus in the united states, along with california and michigan. Driveup asparagus is back in tricities by popular demand.
If a garden has space, we always suggest planting a few asparagus crowns. I was picking wild asparagus yesterday march 31st in montenegro balkan region, e. The leaves are in fact needlelike cladodes modified stems in the axils of scale leaves. Washington asparagus commission produce market guide. Major changes in asparagus production have occurred in the past 20 years with most production now confined to california, washington and michigan. Taste news service, april 4, 2018 taste washington travel is excited to see the 2018 season begin. Washington state s pick your own farms and orchards for fruit, vegetables, pumpkins and more. The asparagus harvest season in washington state runs from march to june, while january through may marks the peak season for total u. Seasonal produce chart washington state chefs resources.
Washington states asparagus harvest to start midapril freshplaza. Savor asparagus season in tricities without ever leaving your car. Many snaped programs work in farmers markets and promote produce. Why you should eat all the asparagus right now the. Gourmet trading reports early start to washington state. Stand decline and dead stems due to fusarium crown rot purple spot, caused by stempylium vesicarium on asparagus stems. The first is of wild asparagus, the second is of the lookalike. The asparagus spears are straight young shoots of the plant, with scalelike tips. Asparagus archives page 2 of 19 vegetable growers news. Mechanical harvesting of asparagus washington state. Want to know when various fruits and vegetables ripen in washington state. Barb fick, horticulturist with the oregon state university extension service, said preparing an asparagus bed properly may reward you for years.
Washington is the largest grower of asparagus in the united states. Then cover your asparagus crowns with soil and add a marker so no one will dig them up. Hes chairman of the washington state asparagus commission and, with 320 acres in production, one of the larger asparagus growers in the area. Nearly 5000 acres of asparagus are grown in washington state. This supports local agriculture and makes produce more available in communities. Purple asparagus, a novelty type that is grown and harvested alongside green asparagus. Washington states asparagus harvest to start midapril. Many of these new varieties are being tested by researchers and growers in the northwest, primarily in washington state. Non technical summary developing and adopting harvesting systems for asparagus provides an important means to address increasingly urgent concerns including the rising cost of labor and global competition. See whats in season in washington state the spruce.
The washington asparagus season is coming to a close but theres still time to stock up this weekend. The washington asparagus commissions mission is to support the economic and environmental sustainability of the washington asparagus industry. Washington state department of agriculture made possible by funding from the department of health and. Planting has been increasing the past two years, but growers are concerned they may not be able to harvest the crop due to labor shortages. These systems will help to maintain washington state s position in national and international markets. Find out whats available when with the handy charts below. Asparagus harvest off to good start in washington the. Good winter drainage is critical, so locate your asparagus patch carefully. It will also help you promote a locally sourced menu and support the farmers in your area. The washington asparagus commissions mission is to support the economic and environment sustainability of the washington asparagus industry. The advent of new hybrid and allmale asparagus varieties is another major change. Washington grown vegetable seasonality chart by healthier us school challenge vegetable group categories produce green arugula. Washington grown vegetable seasonality chart washington state.
Whats in season in may 2020, and other timely information. A healthy field can produce over 10,000 pounds per acre in a season. Our season started in april and should last through june, says bouchey. A member of the lily family, its fernlike foliage turns from green to gold in fall, and can be a backdrop to chrysanthemums or other late season flowers. Washington state, obregon mx, constitucion mx, and peru will begin harvesting highquality asparagus. You can make each of the components in advance and assemble sandwiches just before serving. The quality this year is some of the best we have seen.
Asparagus is a herbaceous, perennial plant growing to 100150 cm 3959 in tall, with stout stems with muchbranched, feathery foliage. A cool spring pushed back the start of washington s 2017 asparagus harvest, but growers arent worried. At the end of the growing season fall cut asparagus stems to one inch above the soil line after they have turned yellow. Asparagus diseases potato, mint, and asparagus diseases. Many people with space limitations use asparagus as a border or hedge plant. Washington asparagus entered the market just as the supply of mexican and california asparagus dwindled.
Now is the time to look for the washington asparagus in markets and grocery stores. Commission activities are funded by an assessment of one percent of the gross receipt at the first point of sale of asparagus. This produce calendar is for washington state, to find a produce guide. By the end of may, asparagus is at the end of its season in most locations. Cool temps slow asparagus season, but its almost here. Creation of the washington asparagus commission was approved by referendum vote of growers in march 1991. But washington asparagus from the farmers market or the grocery store is still a miracle of spring, and this year, theres a bumper crop, with. Asparagus is a extremely easy vegetable to care for. Keep in mind harvest dates are approximate and subject to mother. When its in season, i do everything i can around it, he says. A fresh salad to celebrate asparagus season in washington. Asparagus roots should be spread out much like a spider to lay flat and absorb nutrients. Asparagus washington state magazine washington state. Due to ideal weather conditions we have an excellent crop, which is two weeks ahead of previous seasons, stated gourmet trading ceo, peter lineen, in a press release.
Asparagus stalks are good source of folate, viatmin a, and vitamin c. Growers in washington, california and michigan raise the majority of the nations domestic asparagus and washington s season is on. Planting and harvesting asparagus seattle urban farm company. In 12 cup serving, asparagus has the highest folate content of all vegetables. Later in the season, the foliage matures into an airy, fernlike cloud which changes to a golden color in the fall. Washington asparagus commission, 2621 ringold rd, eltopia. We cant help but celebrate the heart of asparagus season here in eastern washington.
However, imports from chile, mexico and peru allow consumers to purchase asparagus year round. During the second year, harvest for only 3 to 4 weeks, sidedressing with compost in spring and early fall and cutting down dead ferns in late fall. Spring is here, asparagus is around the corner local. During the third year, the bed should be in full production, so you can start to harvest asparagus sparingly throughout the season. Asparagus is the states 30th largest crop in terms of cash value. Washington asparagus is shipped to every state in the nation and is marketed throughout europe and asia. The larousse gastronomique advises selecting asparagus with stems that are firm and uniformly. They grow well in our pacific northwest climate and asparagus cut fresh from the garden is a delicious, seasonal treat. Asparagus is available yearround, but spring is the best season for this nutritious vegetable. Shoots, its asparagus season for washington states 75. Warm and dry summers, cool but not frosty and wet winters all make for very happy plants. As long as you weed it on occasion, it will grow and thrive. For those looking for fresh washington asparagus, the wait is over. Asparagus, a perennial, is a member of the family asparagaceae and is one of the most popular perennial vegetables we plant in our clients gardens.
Work the whole mess into the top 12 inches of soil. Keith middleton suspects hes the only asparagus grower in washington with workers in the field. Washington state crop harvest calendar when fruit and vegetables. If you live in a soggy location such as my home, western washington, consider building a high raised bed. Washington grown vegetable seasonality chart by healthier us. A crusty italian loaf or a thickly sliced country white work especially well. Lay on a baking sheet and drizzle with 12 tablespoons olive oil, sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt and cracked pepper and. A quarter of the nations asparagus crop was harvested in the evergreen state last year. Nutrition educators do food demonstrations and hand out recipes. Middleton six sons farms began cutting asparagus just north of pasco last week, about five days. Volumes are expected to be higher than they were last year. Michigan asparagus season winds down michigan asparagus growers had a welldeserved chance to relax over the holiday weekend as the busy asparagus season came to a close in the final days of june. Crops are harvested from late february to june, with april being the prime month and high season for asparagus. Washington state is the largest grower of asparagus in the united states as of the 2017 season.
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