Good news: first asparagus have already been harvested
The asparagus season is starting early this year, predicts Nu.nl. But Brabant asparagus farmer Van Dinter is skeptical. ‘It’s going to be cold this week and it’s still soaking wet, so we’ll have to wait a little longer for the first asparagus.’
On Facebook, there’s a proud photo: a wooden crate filled with white gold, with a little mud on it, freshly harvested. What? Do we already have asparagus from open fields? No, unfortunately not, explains asparagus farmer Van Dinter, who posted the photo. ‘These were grown using heating. There are heating pipes on the ground, two layers of plastic over them, and then it works.’
Thinner and longer
Asparagus growers in Limburg do expect an early harvest. They also predict thinner asparagus than usual. That’s because we’ve essentially skipped winter, and asparagus actually needs that cold. They then go dormant and convert their energy into sugar, which makes them thicker. In short: early harvest, thinner asparagus, longer asparagus season.
Patience, patience…
Can we soon already peel and eat them? No, we’ll have to wait a little longer for the real asparagus, says Van Dinter. ‘The tunnels have all been blown away by the strong winds, it will be cold again next week and the ground is soaking wet. No, asparagus lovers will have to be patient a little longer.’ He expects the first asparagus to be available to buy around March 7. ‘But of course, it all depends on the weather.’
