Asparagus season in michigan

This annual occurrence is welcomed by me and just about everyone else i know. This springs unusually cool weather, delayed the asparagus seasons start as spears began sprouting up in oceana last week. Its the middle of asparagus harvesting season in michigan. If the planting does not receive at least one inch of rain weekly, soak the soil at least once a week. The empire asparagus festival on may 1820 is an early nod to michigans crowded calendar of summer events.

The vale of evesham in worcestershire is the largest producer within northern europe, citation needed celebrating with the annual british asparagus festival involving auctions of the best crop, an asparagus run modelled on the beaujolais run and a weekend. Dewitt, mi as asparagus stalks shoot out of the ground like lilliputian trees, its clear that the dawn of the season for this popular veg is upon us. How to find wild asparagus hunter angler gardener cook. The best way to enjoy any vegetable is during its season. Nestled on michigan s west coast, the majority of michigan asparagus is grown in oceana county, the asparagus capitol of the world. The season begins in early may and ends in midtolate june. Jun 06, 2017 the asparagus season in begins in southwest michigan in late aprilearly may and runs through late june in the northern regions of the state. West michigan is home to a lot of asparagus farms and jaime paquin, of the retaurant mia and grace in muskegon, used the veggie as a main ingredient in this weeks get fit healthy dish. Ideal weather conditions made this years 67 week season a resounding success for growers, in spite of continued competition from international producers. Take care not to cut the crown of the plant burried beneath the spear. It is a nutrientdense, lowcalorie vegetable with no fat, no cholesterol, and very little sodium.

But once that happens, the bed will produce an abundant crop of spears spring after spring for at least the next 15 to 20 years. Celebrate national asparagus month in pure michigan. Michigan asparagus season gets underway vegetable growers news. Asparagus plants will not show signs of drought stress, so use extra care to make sure that there is enough water during the growing season. The leaves are in fact needlelike cladodes modified stems in the axils of scale leaves. This is a tight window for the harvesting season, so new eras american asparagus must be sharp day in and day out on production. From midmay, thru most of june, roadside stands appear up and down m22 dedicated to asparagus and do they ever do a brisk business. Lateseason blizzards dropped six inches of snow on asparagus fields. Product traceability is a priority, every boxlabel is accounted for from when it is filled with product to when it is shipped to the. While recent snows and cooler than usual temperatures have delayed this years crop, the michigan asparagus season is now officially underway with some growershippers beginning to ship orders and many others starting this week according to the michigan asparagus advisory board, the cool spring weather has provided growers with some extra time to prepare fields and complete beginning of. May, 2019 michigan asparagus season has started, following a cool spring that gave growers some extra time to prepare fields april snows and lower temperatures did delay the crop, but the season is. Michigan asparagus season has started, following a cool spring that gave growers some extra time to prepare fields. She joins bryant to share more about this delicious member of the lily family that grows throughout wisconsin.

Michigan is one of the primary states for asparagus production in the us. In this video, i am on the hunt for the wild asparagus. With ideal weather conditions and superb quality, the major setback for michigan asparagus again took the form of imported asparagus flooding the market during michigans growing season. Michigans asparagus season is wrapping up and john bakker, executive director of the michigan asparagus advisory board, describes 2015 as a challenging year. There are brats, dumplings, pizza and, occasionally, even odder items. Asparagus is available yearround, but spring is the best season for this nutritious vegetable. Michigan asparagus season winds down the produce news. Keeping the asparagus patch productive will require a few simple tasks each season. Harvest is typically a six to seven week season, with may in the center of it all. Michigan asparagus has excellent flavor and a long shelf life. Werling3 and zsofia szendrei1,3 1msu department of entomology.

Growing asparagus in michigan if you love asparagus and want to grow some yourself, waste no time in getting started. With spring quickly transitioning to summer, michigan asparagus is at the starting gate, ready for the pistol to go off. Andrew weil, asparagus is a food that does not need to be purchased organic. Asparagus season in michigan is one of my most favorite times of the year. About 20 million pounds of asparagus are annually harvested at 120 michigan family farms, making the state second in the nation in asparagus production. While watching a facebook live tour of one of michigan asparagus s farms, i learned how fast asparagus grows. I am fortunate to live in a state that grows a lot of asparagus, so i get to enjoy quality, local asparagus in the. Fresh asparagus purchased in michigan outside of the michigan production season will have not been grown by michigan farmers and instead will have come from california, mexico or as far away as peru.

In may and june, its a given that asparagus will be the vegetable of the day at many area restaurants. This page has a table below that tells when each fruit or vegetable is normally ready to be harvested in michigan. A typical michigan asparagus harvest begins in midapril, but in wake of a long, cold winter and cooler spring, it can be pushed back. Asparagus has a higher tolerance for salt in the soil that many weeds do, so an old practice used to be to pour the salty water from the ice cream maker over the asparagus bed to kill weeds. Michigan asparagus is the states first green vegetable harvested each year. While asparagus has been growing in america since early settlers came from europe, it wasnt until the mid1800s that it was planted and cultivated. Jul 11, 2018 michigans asparagus growers have wrapped up what they deem a successful season despite some weather challenges. Michigan asparagus prepares for upcoming season and now u know. Asparagus growing and care calendar harvest to table.

With michigan asparagus season on the way, each segment kicks off with a tip on cooking asparagus. Michigan michigan is one of the primary states for asparagus production in the us. During the third year, the bed should be in full production, so you can start to harvest asparagus sparingly throughout the season. If you must move asparagus, transplant the crowns in early spring when they are dormant or late fall before the first fall frost after foliage is cut back. Michigan asparagus season winds down after short but. Michigan asparagus is unique in that it has a flavor all its own and is incredibly versatile in the kitchen it can be boiled, blanched, baked, grilled, steamed, served plain, seasoned or coated in rich hollandaise. When your local asparagus season begins how long do you have. Jul 09, 2019 on the flip side, the market for processed asparagus reached an alltime low this year, at just 7 million pounds.

Watch the video and learn how to find them in your hometown. Michigan asparagus season has successful close packer. Asparagus season in michigan starts, peak hits memorial. Once the harvesting season has ended, which will be in late springearly summer, allow the spears to develop naturally. By the time the heat of the summer comes, asparagus is done for the year and we go back to imported it from peru. Michigan asparagus season winds down southeast produce. Michigan asparagus season winds down vegetable growers news. Amateurs compete in a cookoff, while area restaurateurs trot out a creative blend of asparagusbased dishes. Also available in spanish translation of asparagus family newsletter pdf, 1. It takes four years for an asparagus field to fully mature. Youll know an asparagus spear when you see it, so thats not a problem. Complete weed control is critical for maximum asparagus. I read somewhere that it was first domesticated by the macedonians.

May, 2019 michigans asparagus is now underway, despite unusually cold weather. Jessica webster the ann arbor news have you been to the farmers markets this week. Mar 12, 2018 asparagus season is approaching rapidly, and you should be making critical decisions about your weed control program for the year. Apr 11, 2016 asparagus growers have an opportunity to prepare and implement a season long weed control program to kill emerged weeds and suppress weed germination. By the end of may, asparagus is at the end of its season in most locations.

If you discover a problem, identify its source and take control measures if needed. The sevenweek michigan asparagus season ended in late june, with a record crop. April snows and coolerthanusual temperatures did delay this years crop, but michigan asparagus season is now officially underway with some growershippers beginning to ship orders last week and many others beginning to ship this week. May 23, 2019 asparagus season is a major event in oceana county, which produces about 75 percent of michigans asparagus. However we dont recommend this now, because too much salt in the soil will eventually kill the asparagus, too. With a market value at an alltime low and a serious worker shortage due to covid19, the 2020 asparagus season in oceana and mason counties looks bleak. September 25, 20 written by norm myers, extension agriculture and agribusiness, michigan state university extension. Asparagus season is briefrunning from early may to the beginning of julybut lucrative, and as consumers clamor for. May 03, 2018 2018 asparagus season in michigan may 3, 2018 asaparagus, garden, reflections, spring, the farm ruthsoaper as i pulled the straw mulch off the asparagus plants yesterday i discovered a few of the plants had new shoots starting to poke their heads out of the ground. Celebrate michigan asparagus season with this tasty vegetarian appetizer. Asparagus season is a major event in oceana county, which produces about 75 percent of michigan s asparagus.

Michigan asparagus season has begun perishable news. Michigan s asparagus is now underway, despite unusually cold weather. Dewitt, mi when late season blizzards dropped six inches of snow on asparagus fields, many anxious consumers wondered if that would. Welcome to west michigan, where we take pride in our wonderful agriculture.

Knowing your first and last frost dates will help you start your vegetable seeds at the right time. Fresh from the garden, asparagus is the very essence of spring. Join us in empire as we greet the arrival of asparagus season with a 5k run, recipe contest, games, parade, food and of all things an annual poetry contest for the best ode to asparagus. We also have a page with links to our own simple instructions on canning, freezing and drying many fruits and vegetables, such as how to make jam, apple butter.

As nearly as i can ascertain asparagus asparagus officinalis has been cultivated for thousands of years. The harvest season in the state usually begins in late april in the southern part of michigan. Even with the best of care, an asparagus bed wont hit its stride for several years. When the weather gets hot, the asparagus just shoots up, explains john bakker, executive director of the michigan asparagus advisory board. It is a rite of spring and this single event is cheered by locals who made it through winter, and more winter, finally to be rewarded with our season. Being near lake michigan, the soil is dominated by sandy loam which provides ideal structure and fertility to fuel asparagus growth and flavor. As a guide, you will need about 20 to 40 crowns for each person. Each event engaged more than 30 food bloggers who shared recipes featuring michigan asparagus while engaging their readership with facts about michigan asparagus. Approximately 120 local michigan farmers produce approximately 20 million pounds of michigan asparagus during the states 67 week harvest. Michigan asparagus prepares for upcoming season and now. May 12, 2011 when and how long is asparagus season. Michigan availability guide this chart is a buying guide for fruits and vegetables commonly grown in michigan.

Here is a breakdown of the asparagus over the course of the year based on what i see in stores here in michigan. Oceana county, known as the asparagus capital of the nation, is one of the leading areas for asparagus growth in the entire country. Michigan is the second largest asparagus producer in the country. Jul 10, 2019 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. The southwest corners season begins in april and ends in may while the north regions season extends through june. Michigan asparagus season draws to a close and now u know. In the midwest southern michigan is an exceptionally good place to look for wild asparagus, for example look around ditches, hedgerows, farm field edges and especially fence lines. Michigan asparagus season begins in late aprilearly may in the southwest corner of the state. Many persistent weeds require several herbicide applications to maintain control throughout the asparagus growing season april through september. Asparagus season in michigan starts, peak hits memorial day. Michigan asparagus growers had a welldeserved chance to relax over the holiday weekend as the busy asparagus season came to a close in. This is due asparagus short and early harvest season.

Asparagus is a perennial plant that comes back from the same root system every year. Michigan asparagus riveridge produce marketing, inc. Michigan s asparagus growers have wrapped up what they deem a successful season despite some weather challenges. Michigan growers had a booming 67 week growing season thanks to ideal weather conditions. Whats in season in april 2020, and other timely information. Using a sharp knife with a serrated edge you can buy special asparagus knives cut the asparagus cleanly 2 10cm 14 below the ground. Michigan crop harvest calendar when fruit and vegetables are. Information surrounding asparagus dates back to around 200 b. This page has a table below that tells when each fruit or vegetable is normally ready to be harvested. 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. This springs unusually cool weather, delayed the asparagus season s start as. Trim the bottoms of the asparagus spears to fit crosswise inside the tart shell. While watching a facebook live tour of one of michigan asparaguss farms, i learned how fast asparagus grows.

Asparagus is a herbaceous, perennial plant growing to 100150 cm 3959 in tall, with stout stems with muchbranched, feathery foliage. Vegetable planting calendar planting vegetable seeds or transplants at the correct time is important for getting the most out of your garden. Michigan asparagus season has started, following a cool spring that gave growers some extra time to prepare fields april snows and lower temperatures did delay the crop, but the season is officially underway, according to the michigan asparagus advisory board, dewitt late season snows dropped six inches of snow on asparagus fields, according to the advisory boards executive director. Nothing says spring like michigan asparagus msu extension. Michigan asparagus has excellent flavor and a long shelflife thanks to the unique climate and soil conditions in west michigan.

Weve been celebrating asparagus since 1974 and nobody does it better. This is a tight window for the harvesting season, so new eras american asparagus must. Depending on where you are, your asparagus season might start as early as january. Page 1 disease and insect pests of asparagus by william r. Asparagus asparagus officinalis is one of the earliest harvested vegetables each spring. Michigan asparagus growers had a chance to relax over the fourth of july weekend as the asparagus season came to a close in the final days. Whats unique about michigan asparagus is that its handharvested or handsnapped. Michigan asparagus season has started, following a cool spring that gave growers some extra time to prepare fields april snows and lower temperatures did delay the crop, but the season is. It shows a wide range of availability because the season for fruits and vegetables varies slightly from year to year and from one area of the state to another. Pigweed resistance to photosynthesisinhibiting herbicides and alsinhibiting herbicides have been documented in several west michigan asparagus fields, and you can be proactive in your weed control practices to suppress these resistant weeds and avoid. The asparagus season in michigan lasts from approx. Some areas might get 812 weeks worth, some more like 46 weeks. I dont really consider it in season until california asparagus arrives. Asparagus season in michigan is even better with this.

As johnson explains, asparagus is a very hardy perennial that can be harvested for up to 40 years once a good crop has been established. Michigan crop harvest calendar when fruit and vegetables. Pigweed resistance to photosynthesisinhibiting herbicides and alsinhibiting herbicides have been documented in several west michigan asparagus fields, and you can be proactive in your weed control practices to suppress these resistant weeds and avoid development. Dane county master gardener lisa johnson is the resident wisconsin asparagus expert. Unlike crops like corn that can be picked, combined or chopped just once, all asparagus in michigan is hand harvested. Crops are harvested from late february to june, with april being the prime month and high season for asparagus. Plan now for seasonlong weed control in asparagus msu.

Asparagus season is approaching rapidly, and you should be making critical decisions about your weed control program for the year. In michigan, hart hosts an annual festival complete with a parade and asparagus queen. Typically michigan asparagus season lasts to about the third or fourth week of june. With a short window of just six to seven weeks, asparagus is perhaps the most anticipated vegetable of spring in michigan. Michigan asparagus is a clean 15 food, meaning it has a low pesticide load and is one of the safest conventionally grown crops to consume. A cool spring led to a late start for the states growers, according to a news. According to michigan asparagus, 20 million pounds of the vegetable are grown in the state each year by 120 family farms. Bake until spears are tender and the crust is a golden brown, 15 to 25 minutes. Harvesting asparagus how much, how soon for how long. Michigan asparagus season winds down after short but productive season michigan asparagus advisory board produce july 9, 2018 dewitt, mi all good things must come to an end, and the frenzy of the michigan asparagus harvest is no exception. Here is a season by season guide for asparagus growing and care. Asparagus season in michigan starts, peak hits memorial day packer. An indication that the snow is finally gone for good knock on wood.