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It’s officially asparagus season in Ontario

It’s officially spring in Ontario when asparagus is available in the local farmers’ markets. Asparagus is the first fresh local vegetable crop available for the Ontario growing season.

“Spring means the beginning of a new growing season in Ontario, which will bring with it a whole new wave of opportunities for consumers to support local food and farming businesses by buying products grown right here at home,” says Larry Davis, farmer and director with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

Though the season is short for this perennial plant, asparagus requires maintenance at least once a day to maintain shoot or “spear” growth. In a 24-hour period, these shoots can grow 25 centimetres.

Norfolk County grows the majority of Ontario’s asparagus and the most widely grown variety in Canada is called Guelph Millennium – which was developed for its adaptation to cooler climates and high yield potential at the University of Guelph.

Read the full release here.