Asparagus is versatile and abundant this spring Emily Marrison Asparagus is one of my favorite vegetables. Though I have very few memories of our family eating it when I was young, my kids would consider it very common as I prepare it more than green beans. Two years ago, my husband David built raised garden beds and we planted rhubarb and strawberries. Last year he built one more for asparagus. We did not pick any last year as it grew, which made me a little sad. But I knew this was best for the plants to conserve energy for strong roots that first year. They were huge and ferny by fall.