Growing - Harvesting

Asparagus is literally the growing shoot of a perennial plant raised in furrowed fields. Commercial plantings take two or more years to become established and require much hand labor in all phases.

Asparagus is harvested when the spears emerge in the springtime. Individual spears are harvested when they are approximately nine inches long with compact, tight heads and good green color. Each day, workers walk the furrows selecting choice spears and cutting them individually by hand.

While the harvest season lasts only 60 to 90 days in each traditional production area, California's wide range of micro-climates allows for fresh asparagus to be available from January through May. A small amount is also harvested in September and October.