Searching for Wild Asparagus

Yesterday I wrote about it being the season for rhubarb in Wisconsin.  It is also the season for gathering wild asparagus.  As we travel the country roads in the area, very often we will see people with plastic bags searching the ditches and the fence lines.  They are looking for wild asparagus.  I have not done this, but I have heard wild asparagus is very tender and delicious.  It's also free.

Yesterday we saw two people along a main highway looking.  I think it is a little late in the season, but I imagine there is some left.  Eventually the searching is over and the asparagus is left to go to seed.   In the fall this is how the seeded out asparagus plants look.  I think people scope out plants that have gone to seed.   They turn yellow in the fall and are easy to spot.  Then in the spring they know where to look.  The trick is getting there before anyone else. 

Wild Asparagus That Has Gone to Seed