Wisconsin’s Asparagus Season Is One Of Spring’s Best Traditions

Every year in Wisconsin, there’s a certain point where you know spring is finally here. The snow is gone, the birds are back, people start opening their windows again, and if you know where to look… asparagus starts popping up out of the ground.

What a lot of people don’t realize is that asparagus grows wild all over Wisconsin. You’ll randomly find it growing in roadside ditches, near old farm fields, fence lines, and country backroads. Most people drive right past it every day without even noticing it. But for others, asparagus hunting is basically a spring tradition.

Usually around late April through early June, people start checking their “spots.” Some families have been going to the same roadside locations for decades. The funny part is that wild asparagus can be hard to spot unless you know what you’re looking for. During the summer, the plant grows tall and turns into a fern-looking bush. Then the following spring, fresh asparagus shoots pop up right around the base of it.

There’s honestly something satisfying about finding fresh asparagus growing naturally in Wisconsin. It’s one of those little Midwest things that reminds you how connected our state still is to farming, nature, and the outdoors. Plus, fresh asparagus straight from the ground tastes way better than the stuff that’s been shipped across the country to grocery stores.

Around Wisconsin, asparagus season also means fish fries, grilling season, and finally getting back outside after another long winter. Some people roast it with garlic and parmesan, others throw it on the grill, and some keep it simple with butter and salt. Either way, it’s one of those foods that just feels like spring in Wisconsin.

So next time you’re driving down a country road or walking near a ditch line, keep an eye out. You might just spot wild asparagus growing right in front of you without even realizing it.

Robert Letvinchuck holding some wild asparagus he found