Spring push: Long cool spring, then record warmth sends Northwest farmers scrambling

Celestino Mendoza loads colorful plastic asparagus lugs off a flatbed ‘95 Ford pickup at the end of a warm day.

His woven straw hat shades his face, but a smile flashes through the shadow when asked if the heat has meant a lot of work.

“I’m ready to go home,” he chuckles softly.

Work has been heavy at this farm north of Pasco for around a week now, especially since a burst of asparagus came in with the record high weekend temperatures that hit some areas of the Northwest.

Asparagus pushes out of the ground from their crowns when the soil temperature reaches above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

This recent burst of work – and so much asparagus, farmers call it “grass” – was a surprise. It’s been so cold this spring that for one of Washington asparagus farmers’ top-selling holidays – Easter – they didn’t have any to cut. They’re hoping Mother’s Day will make up for some of the lost sales.