Fall is here and for a forager, it’s time to start identifying wild asparagus. I always get a funny look when I say I forage for wild asparagus. People say where in the world do you find wild asparagus. If your interested, fall is a great time to find and mark your asparagus patches for spring. Allow me to demonstrate the process for you.
Where to Find Wild Asparagus?
Asparagus likes to grow in open fields and trenches. Often you will find them by roadsides and places where the soil is sandy and well drained. The optimal time to seek out asparagus is during the fall, when the plant flourishes and its foliage transforms into a vivid yellowish-orange hue. If you look closely at the plant, it should have small berries on it that are red in the summer and turn yellow in the fall.
Mark Your Spots and Return in The Spring.
The next step once you identify some asparagus is to return in the spring. Here in the Northeast, wild asparagus usually starts to sprout around May to June. Your window is very short. If you miss them then they will be overgrown, begin to bush out and will not be edible. They can grow very quickly. What you are looking for are young shoots.
Wild asparagus can be prepared and consumed in the same way as the asparagus you buy from the store. I like to saute mine in a little butter and garlic. Just remember not to pick too much and leave some for a healthier crop next year.
Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide
It is highly recommended. This is a great book to learn how to forage. This book has nice pictures and descriptions. It is easy to follow, and I take it with me on all of my foraging hikes. This is my go-to book. The North American Field Guide is available from these retailers. Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide
Before you forage, please make sure you are able to properly identify what you are picking or seek an experienced forager for guidance.
