The Lonely Asparagus

This season, my asparagus patch gave me a grand total of… one spear. Yes, just one. Standing tall and proud, it looked more like a flagpole than a feast. Still, it brought a smile – because growing asparagus is all about patience.

Unlike most garden vegetables, asparagus is a long game. You plant it, tend to it, and then wait two or three years before the harvest is worth talking about. That single spear is a promise, a little green messenger whispering: “I’ll be back, with friends.”

It’s easy to forget that asparagus crowns spend their early years building strength underground, sending out roots and preparing for decades of productivity. A mature patch can reward you with bundles every spring for up to 20 years – but only if you resist the temptation to overpick in the beginning.

So, instead of cooking my lone spear, I let it grow into a tall fern, feeding the roots below. It may look funny – a single stalk waving in the breeze – but it’s the start of something delicious. Next year, I’m hoping for a handful. In a few years, baskets. Gardening teaches patience, and asparagus is the perfect reminder.