Harvest right

If you only planted asparagus crowns last year, don’t pick it, no matter how tempting those tender green shoots are looking. It’s essential that you leave them to grow this year, or you can weaken the plants.

Leave them to open up into the feathery fern stage. While they’re still green, they’re feeding the crowns, and strong crowns are the secret to future success. If it’s your second year, hold back and only harvest a few spears to enable the crowns to continue building up strength.

Proper harvesting can begin in the third year. Pick spears when they’re about 15-20cm long and before the tips open up. Cut with a sharp knife at ground level.

The harvest will last for 6-8 weeks – pick daily or spears become tough. When cropping begins to slow down and the spears thin down (less than 1cm in diameter), stop picking altogether – any other spears are best left on the plant to replenish nutrients to the crowns. Read more

14 tips for getting a great asparagus crop thisnzlife.co.nz Get the recipe

Green bean, asparagus & potato salad