Asparagus – Red berries

Q: Some of my asparagus plants has red berries on them. What do I have? Can the berries be used like seed?

A: The red berries contain asparagus seed. You can collect them as they turn red each fall and dry them completely on a paper towel indoors. When dry, rub between your palms to separate the seed from the skin. Save in a dry, cool spot until spring when the soil is very warm, usually late April. Plant the seed an inch deep and four inches apart in a sunny spot. Seedlings will appear by June. Let them grow until October, when they can be transplanted into a permanent bed. Don’t expect to harvest for a couple of years; allow the new plants to become large before cutting any spears.