Like most of you, Jim and I spent a quiet Easter this year in self-isolation. Our family is spread all across the country. Still, Easter Sunday was a perfect spring day, and we had plenty of fresh asparagus from Jim’s vegetable garden.The crunchy green spears have been a favorite in our household for years. I don’t remember eating asparagus as a child, but once I discovered it as an adult, it quickly rose to the top of my vegetable list

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is an herbaceous perennial plant that can live from 12 to 30 years. Asparagus grows best in areas with cool winters and occasional soil freezing. The spears are delicious prepared in a variety of ways, and the plant’s delicate, ferny foliage presents an attractive appearance in the garden.

Since asparagus will live for a long time, select a planting site in full sunlight with good drainage and well-worked sandy or fine textured soil. If drainage is a problem, a raised bed is an excellent option.

Asparagus requ...