ST. PAUL, Minn. — It's been a slow start to the growing season, but now we're in the swing of things at farmers markets around the region.

Beth Dooley, author of "Minnesota's Bounty: The Farmers' Market Cookbook" discusses what's growing with Tom Crann of MPR News' All Things Considered.

CRANN: You've brought two of the stars of the spring harvest. First asparagus.

DOOLEY: Yes, Asparagus are related to ferns and if you plan to plant a few, don't harvest them all. The unharvested asparagus branch out and become feathery green. I bought asparagus ferns to decorate my first apartment.

Asparagus are perennials and require lots of patience to grow. It takes at least two years to establish a bed.

Listen here.