Spring asparagus shoots return!

Last spring, Andy & I dug and planted our first-ever asparagus bed.

Initial trench digging after sod removal.

It was several days of hard digging, with lots of attention to building a rich soil bed for our 50 young, mail-order crowns.

Andy spreads the tentacle-like crowns over a hill of rich compost.

Technically, we’re supposed to let this year’s shoots grow, without harvesting any to eat, so they can continue to nourish the roots and develop into healthy, beautiful, fern-like plants.

Late summer asparagus plants (left) little resemble spring spears.

I’m just not sure I can wait another year to taste them!

Mmmmm... to eat or not to eat?