Swiss asparagus farmers start the harvest - and hope for warmth

The first specimens were harvested a few days ago in asparagus fields in Rafz and Eglisau in the Zurich Unterland, as the asparagus farm operator Jucker Farm recently announced. However, the quantities are extremely limited. It will take some patience before all fans of the delicacy can be served.

Soil needs to warm up to 12 degrees

For asparagus to grow, it needs sustained warmth above all. This can be helped a little with earth dams, covered with foil if necessary. However, for asparagus to be harvested properly and in large quantities, soil temperatures of at least 12 degrees are required, preferably a little more.

Depending on the weather conditions, around 700 tons of asparagus are harvested in Switzerland each year - nowhere near enough to meet the entire demand. Domestic production is usually sufficient for less than 10 percent of demand, the rest is imported. Swiss asparagus is usually harvested by foreign harvest workers.