Across the U.S., asparagus ripen from Hawaii (mid-January) all the way to Maine (early June). Hatched chalk is the early and late shoulder; the solid stretch is peak.
No chalk window in these states — no meaningful market production, so
we'd rather say so than invent dates. Each page says where the supply
really comes from.
Look for tight, closed tips and firm, smooth stalks with rich green or purple color all the way down.
Feel
Good spears snap cleanly rather than bend, and the cut ends look moist instead of woody and shriveled.
Smell
Fresh asparagus smells clean and faintly grassy — a sour or musty whiff means old stock.
Tip
Spear thickness reflects the age of the crown, not toughness — pick spears of even size so they cook evenly.
Keeps
Stand stalks upright in an inch of water in the fridge and use within three or four days.
U-pick asparagus?
Rarely offered u-pick since spears are cut daily — buy from spring farm stands and farmers markets instead.
Frequently asked questions
When are asparagus in season?
It depends where you stand. Across the U.S., asparagus ripen from Hawaii (mid-January) all the way to Maine (early June). In most growing states the peak lands around May — your own state's row on the board above is the honest answer.
Which state has the longest asparagus season?
Hawaii, where the season runs early January to late December. Long seasons usually mean a big state with more than one growing region inside it.
When are asparagus in season near me?
Pick your state on the what's-in-season board (it remembers you), or jump to your state's row above — each one links to the full asparagus-and-state page.