Wild asparagus: when it comes up and where to look

The first green of the year. It comes up after rain, in the scrub and along field margins, and lasts as long as spring does.

The wild asparagus (Asparagus acutifolius) comes out from February to June, at its best in April, in woods of Matorral and holm oak, from low ground up to the middle mountains. It is also known as wild sparrow grass.

See where it is ready this week

No area is ready for wild asparagus spears this week: the forest is still asleep.

Wild asparagus is a spiny evergreen shrub of the Mediterranean scrub, of olive-grove margins and the foot of stone piles, from sea level to the middle mountains. Nobody plants it: it has always been there, and each plant sends up only a few spears a year. So it is hunted by places, not by patches: those who know their plants go back to them every spring.

The spear appears when the soil warms after rain, and within days it goes from the ground to your hand. The season opens in February in the south and on the coast, and runs later inland and higher up, well into May. A late frost burns whatever had come up and stops the flush dead.

Cut it, never pull it. The plant is what will send up next year's spears, and one torn out does not come back. The ones already open and feathery are left alone: they are no good in the pan and they are what keeps the plant alive. And watch where you tread: much of it grows on private land, and some regions ask for a permit.

What it needs to come out

First, a rain that soaks the ground, no downpour needed. Then patience: it usually appears one or two weeks later, as long as the soil holds on to that moisture and stays warm, with the summer heat still in it. If a frost, too much water or a drying wind comes in between, the flush is aborted and never shows.

Where to look

It comes out in woods of Matorral and holm oak, from low ground up to the middle mountains, without being fussy about the soil.

Wild asparagus spears by province: Andalusia: Almería, Cádiz, Córdoba, Granada, Huelva, Jaén, Málaga, Sevilla · Aragon: Huesca, Teruel, Zaragoza · Asturias · Baleares · Basque Country: Álava, Guipúzcoa, Vizcaya · Cantabria · Castile and León: Ávila, Burgos, León, Palencia, Salamanca, Segovia, Soria, Valladolid, Zamora · Castilla-La Mancha: Albacete, Ciudad Real, Cuenca, Guadalajara, Toledo · Catalonia: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, Tarragona · Extremadura: Badajoz, Cáceres · Galicia: A Coruña, Lugo, Ourense, Pontevedra · La Rioja · Madrid · Murcia · Navarra · Valencian Community: Alicante, Castellón, Valencia

Wild asparagus season in Andalusia

Where to find Wild asparagus in Almería

In Almería we follow 253 zones with woodland for wild asparagus spears, between 150 and 1,100 m above sea level. For now, no zone is ready. The zones with the most woodland lie near Dalías, Berja, Adra and Turón.

Finding Wild asparagus in Cádiz

Cádiz has 185 zones with the woodland wild asparagus spears need, from 50 to 650 m. This week the woods are still asleep. Those with the most woodland are near Los Barrios, Benalup-Casas Viejas, Castellar de la Frontera and Jimena de la Frontera.

Wild asparagus season in Córdoba

We count 280 zones in Córdoba where wild asparagus spears can come up, between 200 and 700 m. None is ready this week. The widest woods are near Algarinejo, Rute, Badolatosa and Carcabuey.

When to look for Wild asparagus in Granada

In Granada we follow 311 zones with woodland for wild asparagus spears, between 600 and 1,200 m above sea level. For now, no zone is ready. The zones with the most woodland lie near Gualchos, Almuñécar, La Herradura and Lújar.

Wild asparagus in Huelva: where and when

Huelva has 374 zones with the woodland wild asparagus spears need, from 50 to 500 m. This week the woods are still asleep. Those with the most woodland are near Matalascañas, Mazagón, Almonte and Lucena del Puerto.

Foraging for Wild asparagus in Jaén

We count 312 zones in Jaén where wild asparagus spears can come up, between 450 and 1,100 m. None is ready this week. The widest woods are near Campillo de Arenas, Fuensanta de Martos, Bélmez de la Moraleda and Jódar.

Wild asparagus spots in Málaga

In Málaga we follow 256 zones with woodland for wild asparagus spears, between 100 and 900 m above sea level. For now, no zone is ready. The zones with the most woodland lie near Estepona, Benahavís, Gaucín and Ojén.

Wild asparagus in Sevilla

Sevilla has 277 zones with the woodland wild asparagus spears need, from 50 to 600 m. This week the woods are still asleep. Those with the most woodland are near El Cuervo, Algámitas, Pruna and Coripe.

Where to find Wild asparagus in Aragon

Where to find Wild asparagus in Huesca

We count 369 zones in Huesca where wild asparagus spears can come up, between 400 and 1,100 m. None is ready this week. The widest woods are near Candasnos, Mequinensa / Mequinenza, Pueyo de Santa Cruz and Monzón.

Finding Wild asparagus in Teruel

In Teruel we follow 353 zones with woodland for wild asparagus spears, between 500 and 1,250 m above sea level. For now, no zone is ready. The zones with the most woodland lie near Molinos, Castellote, Aguaviva and Mas de las Matas.

Wild asparagus season in Zaragoza

Zaragoza has 453 zones with the woodland wild asparagus spears need, from 300 to 1,000 m. This week the woods are still asleep. Those with the most woodland are near Nuévalos, Nonaspe, Herrera de los Navarros and Paniza.

When to look for Wild asparagus in Asturias

We count 103 zones in Asturias where wild asparagus spears can come up, between 250 and 1,000 m. None is ready this week. The widest woods are near San Vicente de la Barquera, Llanes, Potes and Carreña.

Wild asparagus in Baleares: where and when

In Baleares we follow 166 zones with woodland for wild asparagus spears, between 50 and 400 m above sea level. For now, no zone is ready. The zones with the most woodland lie near Cala Blava, Sa Ràpita, Porto Cristo and Palmanova.

Wild asparagus in the Basque Country, province by province

Foraging for Wild asparagus in Álava

Álava has 96 zones with the woodland wild asparagus spears need, from 400 to 950 m. This week the woods are still asleep. Those with the most woodland are near Oion / Oyón, Lapuebla de Labarca, Lantziego / Lanciego and Bilar / Elvillar.

Wild asparagus spots in Guipúzcoa

We count 3 zones in Guipúzcoa where wild asparagus spears can come up, between 150 and 400 m. None is ready this week. The widest woods are near Mendaro and Mutriku.

Wild asparagus in Vizcaya

In Vizcaya we follow 34 zones with woodland for wild asparagus spears, between 100 and 550 m above sea level. For now, no zone is ready. The zones with the most woodland lie near Ramales de la Victoria, Urduña / Orduña, Lekeitio and Ea.

Where to find Wild asparagus in Cantabria

Cantabria has 86 zones with the woodland wild asparagus spears need, from 50 to 1,050 m. This week the woods are still asleep. Those with the most woodland are near Potes, San Vicente de la Barquera, Ramales de la Victoria and Hazas de Cesto.

Wild asparagus season in Castile and León

Finding Wild asparagus in Ávila

We count 167 zones in Ávila where wild asparagus spears can come up, between 600 and 1,250 m. None is ready this week. The widest woods are near Navalcán, Montesclaros, Poyales del Hoyo and Madrigal de la Vera.

Wild asparagus season in Burgos

In Burgos we follow 384 zones with woodland for wild asparagus spears, between 650 and 1,100 m above sea level. For now, no zone is ready. The zones with the most woodland lie near Roa, Zambrana, Miranda de Ebro and Pancorbo.

When to look for Wild asparagus in León

León has 274 zones with the woodland wild asparagus spears need, from 700 to 1,150 m. This week the woods are still asleep. Those with the most woodland are near Valderas, Alija de los Melones, Algadefe and Puente de Domingo Flórez.

Wild asparagus in Palencia: where and when

We count 66 zones in Palencia where wild asparagus spears can come up, between 750 and 1,050 m. None is ready this week. The widest woods are near Villalba de los Alcores, Villamuriel de Cerrato, Monzón de Campos and Torquemada.

Foraging for Wild asparagus in Salamanca

In Salamanca we follow 329 zones with woodland for wild asparagus spears, between 650 and 950 m above sea level. For now, no zone is ready. The zones with the most woodland lie near San Esteban de la Sierra, Barbadillo, Fuentes de Oñoro and Serradilla del Arroyo.

Wild asparagus spots in Segovia

Segovia has 123 zones with the woodland wild asparagus spears need, from 900 to 1,200 m. This week the woods are still asleep. Those with the most woodland are near Milagros, Sanchidrián, Vadocondes and Torreiglesias.

Wild asparagus in Soria

We count 312 zones in Soria where wild asparagus spears can come up, between 950 and 1,150 m. None is ready this week. The widest woods are near Ágreda, Arcos de Jalón, San Esteban de Gormaz and Langa de Duero.

Where to find Wild asparagus in Valladolid

In Valladolid we follow 93 zones with woodland for wild asparagus spears, between 700 and 900 m above sea level. For now, no zone is ready. The zones with the most woodland lie near Serrada, San Román de Hornija, Viana de Cega and Sardón de Duero.

Finding Wild asparagus in Zamora

Zamora has 277 zones with the woodland wild asparagus spears need, from 700 to 950 m. This week the woods are still asleep. Those with the most woodland are near Venialbo, Peleagonzalo, Almaraz de Duero and Toro.

Where to find Wild asparagus in Castilla-La Mancha

Wild asparagus season in Albacete

We count 477 zones in Albacete where wild asparagus spears can come up, between 600 and 1,050 m. None is ready this week. The widest woods are near Yeste, Calasparra, Socovos and Letur.

When to look for Wild asparagus in Ciudad Real

In Ciudad Real we follow 631 zones with woodland for wild asparagus spears, between 600 and 900 m above sea level. For now, no zone is ready. The zones with the most woodland lie near Cardeña, Solana del Pino, Pozuelo de Calatrava and Conquista.

Wild asparagus in Cuenca: where and when

Cuenca has 452 zones with the woodland wild asparagus spears need, from 750 to 1,150 m. This week the woods are still asleep. Those with the most woodland are near Villagordo del Júcar, Casas de Benítez, Pozoamargo and Casas de Haro.

Foraging for Wild asparagus in Guadalajara

We count 389 zones in Guadalajara where wild asparagus spears can come up, between 800 and 1,200 m. None is ready this week. The widest woods are near Illana, Fuentenovilla, Aranzueque and Loranca de Tajuña.

Wild asparagus spots in Toledo

In Toledo we follow 332 zones with woodland for wild asparagus spears, between 400 and 900 m above sea level. For now, no zone is ready. The zones with the most woodland lie near Fuente el Fresno, Puerto Lápice, Madridejos and Consuegra.

Wild asparagus in Catalonia, province by province

Wild asparagus in Barcelona

Barcelona has 311 zones with the woodland wild asparagus spears need, from 150 to 800 m. This week the woods are still asleep. Those with the most woodland are near Castellet, Vilanova i la Geltrú, Sitges and Vilafranca del Penedès.

Where to find Wild asparagus in Girona

We count 215 zones in Girona where wild asparagus spears can come up, between 50 and 900 m. None is ready this week. The widest woods are near Breda, Hostalric, Tordera and Lloret de Mar.

Finding Wild asparagus in Lleida

In Lleida we follow 273 zones with woodland for wild asparagus spears, between 350 and 1,100 m above sea level. For now, no zone is ready. The zones with the most woodland lie near Flix, la Granadella, Bellaguarda and Ulldemolins.

Wild asparagus season in Tarragona

Tarragona has 246 zones with the woodland wild asparagus spears need, from 50 to 750 m. This week the woods are still asleep. Those with the most woodland are near Alcanar, Ulldecona, Sant Rafel del Maestrat and Godall.

Wild asparagus season in Extremadura

When to look for Wild asparagus in Badajoz

We count 447 zones in Badajoz where wild asparagus spears can come up, between 250 and 650 m. None is ready this week. The widest woods are near Puebla del Maestre, Monesterio, Fuente del Arco and Fuentes de León.

Wild asparagus in Cáceres: where and when

In Cáceres we follow 507 zones with woodland for wild asparagus spears, between 300 and 800 m above sea level. For now, no zone is ready. The zones with the most woodland lie near Torrefresneda, Almoharín, Arroyomolinos de Montánchez and Alcuéscar.

Where to find Wild asparagus in Galicia

Foraging for Wild asparagus in A Coruña

A Coruña has 114 zones with the woodland wild asparagus spears need, from 50 to 500 m. This week the woods are still asleep. Those with the most woodland are near Camariñas, Corcubión, Mugia and Oleiros.

Wild asparagus spots in Lugo

We count 56 zones in Lugo where wild asparagus spears can come up, between 350 and 800 m. None is ready this week. The widest woods are near Muras, Petín, Mondoñedo and Abadín.

Wild asparagus in Ourense

In Ourense we follow 66 zones with woodland for wild asparagus spears, between 450 and 900 m above sea level. For now, no zone is ready. The zones with the most woodland lie near Puente de Domingo Flórez, Petín, Oencia and Manzaneda.

Where to find Wild asparagus in Pontevedra

Pontevedra has 18 zones with the woodland wild asparagus spears need, from 150 to 900 m. This week the woods are still asleep. Those with the most woodland are near A Ramallosa, O Rosal, Tomiño and Cuntis.

Finding Wild asparagus in La Rioja

We count 164 zones in La Rioja where wild asparagus spears can come up, between 400 and 1,150 m. None is ready this week. The widest woods are near Cervera del Río Alhama, Aldeanueva de Ebro, Autol and Arnedillo.

Wild asparagus season in Madrid

In Madrid we follow 172 zones with woodland for wild asparagus spears, between 600 and 1,150 m above sea level. For now, no zone is ready. The zones with the most woodland lie near Arroyomolinos, Villa del Prado, Almorox and Sotillo de la Adrada.

When to look for Wild asparagus in Murcia

Murcia has 378 zones with the woodland wild asparagus spears need, from 150 to 950 m. This week the woods are still asleep. Those with the most woodland are near Pulpí, Águilas, Almendricos and Barrio de la Concepción.

Wild asparagus in Navarra: where and when

We count 252 zones in Navarra where wild asparagus spears can come up, between 350 and 950 m. None is ready this week. The widest woods are near Murillo el Fruto, Beire, Cáseda and San Martín de Unx.

Wild asparagus in the Valencian Community, province by province

Foraging for Wild asparagus in Alicante

In Alicante we follow 221 zones with woodland for wild asparagus spears, between 50 and 850 m above sea level. For now, no zone is ready. The zones with the most woodland lie near Orihuela, Santa Pola, Crevillente and Hondón de los Frailes.

Wild asparagus spots in Castellón

Castellón has 258 zones with the woodland wild asparagus spears need, from 100 to 1,100 m. This week the woods are still asleep. Those with the most woodland are near Gátova, Marines, Alfondeguilla and Soneja.

Wild asparagus in Valencia

We count 382 zones in Valencia where wild asparagus spears can come up, between 100 and 950 m. None is ready this week. The widest woods are near Bocairent, Ontinyent, Ador and Terrateig.

How the forest is doing this week

• Asleep 12297 zones

Forecast of 16 September, updated every day.

Mushrooms that share its woods

• Bronze bolete: The bolete of the holm oak woods: dark, stout and firm-fleshed. The most prized of its family.
• Gurumelo: The mushroom of the south-western spring. It breaks out of the ground like a white stone and smells of wet earth.
• Caesar's mushroom: The queen. Orange as a golden egg, scarce and ever more sought after.

How we know when the forest wakes up.