We planted our Asparagus three years ago. Watching it grow and establish over the years, without being able to harvest, was a test of patience. Asparagus is a perennial that will last over 15 years if taken care of. This year we can start harvesting these lovely spears. I am always looking for signs that the soil is waking up and it is time to plant. When I walk through the forrest to get to the farm I notice when the onion grass starts popping up. Has the dead nettle come back? I listen to birds chirping and look for tree buds swelling. One of my favorite items on the farm is overwintered kale or collards. As they go to flower they produce delicious leaves and edible flowers which I call “raab”. Watching the Asparagus poke through the ground has been very fulfilling and this year we can harvest it. A quick check about the normal harvest date in New Jersey says that an early harvest date would be April 23. Normal harvest dates are through the month of May. Looks like Spring is three weeks early.