Find out when asparagus comes into season from different parts of the United States and the world. Learn when the best time for asparagus eating is and take advantage of the season.
Here at Eat Like No One Else, we are all about eating seasonally. I encourage people to eat food when it's in season and eat it often. With modern transportation and refrigeration we can enjoy many things year round that we never would have before.
There are some things that I buy year round even if the area I live in can't currently grow them. Ideally I try to enjoy my peak season produce as much as possible. That is the case with asparagus.
🗺️ Peru
Asparagus can be found year round but most of the year it is coming from Peru. This increased distance means increased prices and decreased flavor. The sugars in asparagus begins converting to starch as soon as it's cut. The sooner you eat it after harvest the better, which is why asparagus from Peru will never be as good as asparagus harvested closer by.
🇲🇽 Mexico & 🏄♀️ California
During the late winter, asparagus begins showing up from Mexico and the prices tend to go down. This is specially true once the California asparagus hit the stores. At this point there is a lot of asparagus on the market, so it's when you will find the best deals.
⌚ When and How Long is Asparagus Season?
Here is a breakdown of the asparagus over the course of the year based on what I see in stores here in Michigan. I don't really consider it in season until California asparagus arrives. I am fortunate to live in a state that grows a lot of asparagus, so I get to enjoy quality, local asparagus in the spring time.
| Peru | June to February |
| Mexico | February to April |
| California | March to May |
| Michigan | May to June |
There are many states that grow asparagus that you can buy at your local farmer's market. Southern states like Texas have their asparagus ready in late winter/early spring, and further north in places like Montana, Vermont, the Dakotas will see their asparagus emerge in mid to late spring.
Here are some other harvest dates by state:
| Montana | mid May to June |
| Texas | March to April |
| Vermont | mid May to June |
| Washington | late April to June |
| Oregon | late April to June |
| New York | May to June |
| Illinois | late April to June |
| Florida | February to early April |
| New Jersey | May to June |
| Ohio | late april to early June |
By the time the heat of the summer comes, asparagus is done for the year and we go back to imported it from Peru.
🇺🇸 How Long Does It Last in Your State?
When your local asparagus season begins how long do you have? It all depends on the climate. Some areas might get 8-12 weeks worth, some more like 4-6 weeks. It depends on temperature extremes.
If you are in an area that heats up quickly, like in the Midwest than the season will be shorter than say in an area of California that maintains temperature for an extended period in the late winter to early spring.
The best answer you can get to this question is to ask a local asparagus farmer as it varies from year to year.
ℹ️nfographic
Here is a handy dandy visual guide to asparagus season.
If you like this graphic, make sure to check out all our seasonal posts for similar images for other fruits and veggies.
⚪ When is White Asparagus in Season?
White asparagus is just asparagus that has been deprived of light. It has no chlorophyll giving it a bitter taste. Nearly all white asparagus is imported from places like Peru. California no longer grows it commercially. It will be available sporadically throughout the year whenever imported prices are good.
🟣 When is Purple Asparagus in Season?
Purple asparagus is available around the same time as the standard U.S. grown green varieties. I don't find a lot of imported purple, more white is imported.
I have had several people coming to the site when searching for whether purple asparagus is a GMO (genetically modified organism). I think people are beginning to worry that if a vegetable is a different color than they are use to that it might be a GMO.
After doing a bit of searching around the web, I couldn't find much on asparagus being a GMO, so I believe it to be a low risk. Purple varieties of veggies have been around for a long time, they are just now becoming more popular.
📚 Favorite Recipes
I love turning asparagus into pesto. Most people think pesto is just basil but it can be made with other "greens". Here are two different ways I have used it :
Toasted Couscous with Asparagus Pesto
Pasta with Seaweed and Asparagus Pesto
Here are some other recipes to try out as well
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