Asparagus Facts for Kids

What am I?

I can grow 6+ inches... per day! I grow in single spears. I am native to the Mediterranean and grew in swamps. I have been found in Egyptian tombs dating 5,000 years ago. It takes 5 years for a new plant to grow spears. A new plant is grown from crowns, or a cluster of roots, not seeds. I do grow a fruit, but it's poisonous to humans.

Where I grow

I grow on the ground in mounds. I come in three colors - green, purple, or white. If I'm green or purple, I was grown with the sun and produced chlorophyll, which gives me color. If I'm white, I was covered up with dirt and blankets for protection from the sun's rays. The white version is a delicacy (or special) and tastes sweeter.

After I'm picked

Because I grow as a single spear, I must be hand picked. Plus, since I grow so quickly, it's a race against the clock to harvest me in time. If I grow too big, I will be hard and woody, which isn't tasty or easy to chew. 
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After I'm picked, I'm packaged in bunches with other spears. I'm usually roasted or fried and eaten with some seasoning. Yum!

Did you guess... Asparagus

Español: Espárragos

​Asparagus is a lot of work to grow! WARNING - after you eat me and go to the bathroom, you'll wonder, "what's that smell?" I have a byproduct called sulfur after I'm digested. ​Learn more in the video on the next slide. 

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