Alberta asparagus crop to be smaller this summer after last year's hail damage

Alberta asparagus fans be warned there will be less of your favourite succulent vegetable at local farmer's markets this summer. 

Edgar Farms near Innisfail, Alta. — the province's largest asparagus producer — announced it has cancelled its annual asparagus festival this year.

It's placing the blame on two hail storms last summer that badly damaged the delicate crops.

"We always say if you can fix it with money you really don't have a major problem," said Elna Edgar of Edgar Farms. "Yes, it's going to hurt for sure as last year did. We'll survive. We'll be back."

Asparagus is a perennial plant that takes five years to mature.

Edgar says by giving most of their fields a year off from production they are hopeful the asparagus crop will return by next summer.

The asparagus that can be harvested will be taken to farmer's markets around the province.