It sounds like your asparagus is off to a good start with great soil prep to carry it through the years. It may be frustrating to think that you should harvest little or no asparagus this year, but remember, you will not need to replant in future years. And the harvest will get better and better for the first several years with only the addition of some compost or other nutrient source. The crown beneath your broken spear should send up more spears throughout the season. Don't worry about it. To be honest with you, if it were my bed I'm sure I'd harvest a few of the larger spears just because I would not be able to wait a WHOLE year for my own asparagus. It might affect the next year's harvest some, but it would make me happy now :) As long as the spears are allowed to grow to fronds for a few months before frost, the plant should be able to build up reserves for next year's growth. Just don't remove all the spears from any one crown or continue for more than a few weeks this year....and realize you may be reducing next year's yield, but not seriously damaging your plants. My bed is going on 20 years old and still produces well. It has gone through times of severe neglect and still cropped well. This year I am planning to remove the blackberry bushes that are trying to invade the area. That is the first real work I will have done other than yearly mulching with compost (and that didn't always even happen), light weeding, and harvesting. We harvest all we can eat from late April til the 4th of July. I could freeze some but don't like it so well that way so I usually give the extra away. Asparagus is a tough plant, a true survivor. You will enjoy the great taste of spears you grew when they are fresh from the garden.

I would wait, give them more time. It has been a strange spring again for many of us, cooler than normal and many things are behind. I should be picking mine and it is barely poking up out of the ground, and frost is predicted. Lucky for you, it's first year in the ground asparagus likes more water than later in its life. I am trying to get a large batch of new roots planted here, but currently it is snowing. I heard someone recently describe the seasons in my state. Almost winter, winter, still winter and road construction season. It's not so funny when you are living thru it.

catherinet, Relax...and as Dave advised, have patience with these new guys in your garden. 'Gus, new or older, needs two things to become vigorous (assuming you planted well..fertilized, etc.). He needs moisture, and he needs HEAT. It seems that "global warming" somewhere has sucked the heat out of our spring. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised when temps have climbed to more normal levels. Even healthy, well established beds slow way down when the temps are so cool. Post back when you've had temps in the 70's for a week or so. (poor bunny...he must have been so disappointed) Hal

Lazy gardens, good that you mentioned about the spines and the fibrousness of palms but if OP is using to line the beds, the disadvantages of palms are of little consequence for lining beds. They are at the bottom of beds, never to be seen or touched again. as to the googling that a few are relying on as the "written in blood" reference, I saw NOTHING about toxicity or being otherwise detrimental to an edible garden, absolutely nothing. the cons seem to be about how handling for converting into mulch as lazy gardens so aptly mentioned. Finally, unless my eyes are really betraying me, it looks like the dang fronds are already in the beds. Experts: what am I missing???? I thought the key to a successful edible bed are, best soil you can afford, judicious fertilization, strongest cultivars for OPs area, watering, sun. Lining (or not) has limited relevance. OP you were given great advice re: checking w/your county extension.