Asparagus – Found In Wild, Edible?

Q: My husband and I noticed asparagus ferns growing along a fence row on our property. Is it safe to eat? Is there such a thing as wild asparagus

A: My parents made a hobby of transplanting wild asparagus seedlings, which they found under farm fences, into their vegetable garden. The spears were never very big but we did enjoy a mess or two of asparagus each spring. As you might suspect, birds deposited the asparagus seed under the fence. Someone in your neighborhood is growing asparagus and is not removing the female, seed filled asparagus ferns as they ought. You can continue collecting the chance seedlings you find, but if you really like asparagus buy crowns of a good variety like ‘Jersey Giant’ or ‘Jersey Male’.