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 · 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 · Illes Balears · 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 the Basque Country, province by province

Wild asparagus in Álava: where and when

In Álava we follow 96 zones with woodland for wild asparagus spears, between 400 and 950 m above sea level. For now, no zone is ready. The zones with the most woodland lie near Oion / Oyón, Lapuebla de Labarca, Lantziego / Lanciego and Bilar / Elvillar.

Foraging for Wild asparagus in Guipúzcoa

Guipúzcoa has 3 zones with the woodland wild asparagus spears need, from 150 to 400 m. This week the woods are still asleep. Those with the most woodland are near Mendaro and Mutriku.

Wild asparagus spots in Vizcaya

We count 34 zones in Vizcaya where wild asparagus spears can come up, between 100 and 550 m. None is ready this week. The widest woods are near Ramales de la Victoria, Urduña / Orduña, Lekeitio and Ea.

Wild asparagus in Cantabria

In Cantabria we follow 86 zones with woodland for wild asparagus spears, between 50 and 1,050 m above sea level. For now, no zone is ready. The zones with the most woodland lie near Potes, San Vicente de la Barquera, Ramales de la Victoria and Hazas de Cesto.

Wild asparagus season in Castile and León

Where to find Wild asparagus in Ávila

Ávila has 167 zones with the woodland wild asparagus spears need, from 600 to 1,250 m. This week the woods are still asleep. Those with the most woodland are near Navalcán, Montesclaros, Poyales del Hoyo and Madrigal de la Vera.

Finding Wild asparagus in Burgos

We count 384 zones in Burgos where wild asparagus spears can come up, between 650 and 1,100 m. None is ready this week. The widest woods are near Roa, Zambrana, Miranda de Ebro and Pancorbo.

Wild asparagus season in León

In León we follow 274 zones with woodland for wild asparagus spears, between 700 and 1,150 m above sea level. For now, no zone is ready. The zones with the most woodland lie near Valderas, Alija de los Melones, Algadefe and Puente de Domingo Flórez.

When to look for Wild asparagus in Palencia

Palencia has 66 zones with the woodland wild asparagus spears need, from 750 to 1,050 m. This week the woods are still asleep. Those with the most woodland are near Villalba de los Alcores, Villamuriel de Cerrato, Monzón de Campos and Torquemada.

Wild asparagus in Salamanca: where and when

We count 329 zones in Salamanca where wild asparagus spears can come up, between 650 and 950 m. None is ready this week. The widest woods are near San Esteban de la Sierra, Barbadillo, Fuentes de Oñoro and Serradilla del Arroyo.

Foraging for Wild asparagus in Segovia

In Segovia we follow 123 zones with woodland for wild asparagus spears, between 900 and 1,200 m above sea level. For now, no zone is ready. The zones with the most woodland lie near Milagros, Sanchidrián, Vadocondes and Torreiglesias.

Wild asparagus spots in Soria

Soria has 312 zones with the woodland wild asparagus spears need, from 950 to 1,150 m. This week the woods are still asleep. Those with the most woodland are near Ágreda, Arcos de Jalón, San Esteban de Gormaz and Langa de Duero.

Wild asparagus in Valladolid

We count 93 zones in Valladolid where wild asparagus spears can come up, between 700 and 900 m. None is ready this week. The widest woods are near Serrada, San Román de Hornija, Viana de Cega and Sardón de Duero.

Where to find Wild asparagus in Zamora

In Zamora we follow 277 zones with woodland for wild asparagus spears, between 700 and 950 m above sea level. For now, no zone is ready. The zones with the most woodland lie near Venialbo, Peleagonzalo, Almaraz de Duero and Toro.

Where to find Wild asparagus in Castilla-La Mancha

Finding Wild asparagus in Albacete

Albacete has 477 zones with the woodland wild asparagus spears need, from 600 to 1,050 m. This week the woods are still asleep. Those with the most woodland are near Yeste, Calasparra, Socovos and Letur.

Wild asparagus season in Ciudad Real

We count 631 zones in Ciudad Real where wild asparagus spears can come up, between 600 and 900 m. None is ready this week. The widest woods are near Cardeña, Solana del Pino, Pozuelo de Calatrava and Conquista.

When to look for Wild asparagus in Cuenca

In Cuenca we follow 452 zones with woodland for wild asparagus spears, between 750 and 1,150 m above sea level. For now, no zone is ready. The zones with the most woodland lie near Villagordo del Júcar, Casas de Benítez, Pozoamargo and Casas de Haro.

Wild asparagus in Guadalajara: where and when

Guadalajara has 389 zones with the woodland wild asparagus spears need, from 800 to 1,200 m. This week the woods are still asleep. Those with the most woodland are near Illana, Fuentenovilla, Aranzueque and Loranca de Tajuña.

Foraging for Wild asparagus in Toledo

We count 332 zones in Toledo where wild asparagus spears can come up, between 400 and 900 m. None is ready this week. The widest woods are near Fuente el Fresno, Puerto Lápice, Madridejos and Consuegra.

Wild asparagus in Catalonia, province by province

Wild asparagus spots in Barcelona

In Barcelona we follow 311 zones with woodland for wild asparagus spears, between 150 and 800 m above sea level. For now, no zone is ready. The zones with the most woodland lie near Castellet, Vilanova i la Geltrú, Sitges and Vilafranca del Penedès.

Wild asparagus in Girona

Girona has 215 zones with the woodland wild asparagus spears need, from 50 to 900 m. This week the woods are still asleep. Those with the most woodland are near Breda, Hostalric, Tordera and Lloret de Mar.

Where to find Wild asparagus in Lleida

We count 273 zones in Lleida where wild asparagus spears can come up, between 350 and 1,100 m. None is ready this week. The widest woods are near Flix, la Granadella, Bellaguarda and Ulldemolins.

Finding Wild asparagus in Tarragona

In Tarragona we follow 246 zones with woodland for wild asparagus spears, between 50 and 750 m above sea level. For now, no zone is ready. The zones with the most woodland lie near Alcanar, Ulldecona, Sant Rafel del Maestrat and Godall.

Wild asparagus season in Extremadura

Wild asparagus season in Badajoz

Badajoz has 447 zones with the woodland wild asparagus spears need, from 250 to 650 m. This week the woods are still asleep. Those with the most woodland are near Puebla del Maestre, Monesterio, Fuente del Arco and Fuentes de León.

When to look for Wild asparagus in Cáceres

We count 507 zones in Cáceres where wild asparagus spears can come up, between 300 and 800 m. None is ready this week. The widest woods are near Torrefresneda, Almoharín, Arroyomolinos de Montánchez and Alcuéscar.

Where to find Wild asparagus in Galicia

Wild asparagus in A Coruña: where and when

In A Coruña we follow 114 zones with woodland for wild asparagus spears, between 50 and 500 m above sea level. For now, no zone is ready. The zones with the most woodland lie near Camariñas, Corcubión, Mugia and Oleiros.

Foraging for Wild asparagus in Lugo

Lugo has 56 zones with the woodland wild asparagus spears need, from 350 to 800 m. This week the woods are still asleep. Those with the most woodland are near Muras, Petín, Mondoñedo and Abadín.

Wild asparagus spots in Ourense

We count 66 zones in Ourense where wild asparagus spears can come up, between 450 and 900 m. None is ready this week. The widest woods are near Puente de Domingo Flórez, Petín, Oencia and Manzaneda.

Wild asparagus in Pontevedra

In Pontevedra we follow 18 zones with woodland for wild asparagus spears, between 150 and 900 m above sea level. For now, no zone is ready. The zones with the most woodland lie near A Ramallosa, O Rosal, Tomiño and Cuntis.

Where to find Wild asparagus in Illes Balears

Illes Balears has 166 zones with the woodland wild asparagus spears need, from 50 to 400 m. This week the woods are still asleep. Those with the most woodland are near Cala Blava, Sa Ràpita, Porto Cristo and Palmanova.

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 30 October, updated every day.

Frequently asked questions

When do the wild asparagus spears come up?

From February to June, at its best in April.

Where do the wild asparagus spears grow?

In woods of Matorral and holm oak, from low ground up to the middle mountains.

How long after rain do the wild asparagus spears appear?

It usually appears one or two weeks later.

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.