Eating wild asparagus that grows on ditch banks may be hazardous to your health.
Jody Gale, Millard County Extension agent, said such asparagus may have been sprayed with insecticides - not just in Millard County but other parts of the state as well.Gale noted that asparagus along ditch banks begins to grow as the weather warms, and many people are anxious to enjoy it once again. But, he said, "I have been asked by farmers to alert the public to a very real health threat.
"When the county builds roads through farm lands, the county only have an easement and the farmer still owns the land that the roads are built on. This also applies to ditches and canals. . .."
Gale said wild asparagus frequently grows in such areas and farmers spray many ditch banks with pesticides to control weeds and insects in non-edible crops. "They are growing alfalfa, barley and other field crops, not asparagus. Asparagus is usually in such small amounts it is in the way and cannot be given special treatment as an edible crop.
The agent said some farmers go out of their way to skip patches of asparagus when applying pesticides, and they usually don't mind people harvesting the wild plant.
"Always ask for permission and find out if asparagus has been sprayed before you pick it."