Please include your location or at least your garden zone in your posts. It makes a big difference.

No spears are ever harvested in the first year unless you are a southern hemisphere gardener. They can harvest a few spears. Otherwise just let them go to fern.

Dave

I want to grow asparagus next year but I read that it's best to leave the plants alone and not harvest. They will build stronger roots and will be ready to harvest in year 2 or 3.

Did you start from seed or did you get a year 1 or year 2 root?
If its a year 2 root I read you can harvest a few spears if you want.

Thanks I started them from some roots I got. I will probably just let them go. There is not really enough to do much with yet. I was surprised they even grew since they were planted pretty late in the year. I dug them in about 2 feet and filled the trench in with composted cow manure from my barn as they grew. THey should really be good next year.

Give them a couple of years, then watch out! LOL
We almost got tired of asparagus this year (not really! Just had to get creative how we used it!)
We have a 4x8 bed for the 2 of us and it is more than enough!
I think the rule is to let them grow year 1&2, harvest a few year 3 then go for it!
I still get a spear here and there and chop it up to go into a salad. Nancy