TRI-CITIES, Wash. (AP) — Mild weather could mean an early start to the asparagus harvest in fields around the Tri-Cities.
Some growers told the Tri-City Herald they could begin harvesting by April 1.
The Washington Asparagus Commission says the state produces about 40 percent of the U.S. crop. But acreage has been dropping — from 9,000 acres four years ago to 6,000 acres last year.
Harvesting asparagus is labor-intensive and provides about 6,000 jobs. The harvest typically last into June.
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Information from: Tri-City Herald, http://www.tri-cityherald.com