We are in the swing of asparagus season in Michigan in both our main growing regions.

 

The season kicks off in the southwest near Dowagiac, Michigan and then the main area north of Grand Rapids, Hart, Michigan

For many growers, asparagus is just one vegetable in their produce toolbelt. Asparagus harvest kicks off the Michigan agriculture season and can help fund much of the rest of the other commodities the growers grow.

But the season is always finicky and unpredictable, just as the weather in Michigan. Some years you can be in full swing in late April, and other years, like 2020, a little bit later.

What makes Michigan asparagus different? Asparagus loves Michigan! The sandier soil, the Lake Michigan climate, the soil nutrients… it’s all favorable for asparagus.

Harvest also makes Michigan unique. Our asparagus is picked by hand. There are a number of harvester vehicles – from a solo unit, almost like a go kart that an operator navigates with his feet, to a tractor pulling a group of pickers from behind to a motorized harvester with a team and the center rider driving the unit. It’s hard work. You’re bent over, snapping all day long. This harvest technique gives you the best spear – as it breaks it at its natural breaking point, rather than under ground where it may be a bit woodier in texture.

The asparagus heads to a cooling station where it is drenched in water to bring its temperature down before it heads to the coolers. This helps to extend its shelf life. The lugs then head down the line of the packing shed where they’re rinsed, cut to size and bundled in one pound bunches, bags, 12 oz microwaveable bags or larger club sized packs that are 2.25#.

Asparagus season is a sign of everything coming back to life. Before you know it, sweet cherries are ready to be picked, then blueberries and then apples, all before a long winter’s nap before we do it all over again next spring!