DH and I don't grow anything anymore but we know who does. We went to the farmer in a nearby town who has 178 acres of asparagus. We got 50 pounds for $. 80 a pound. What I cut off the bottom of the pickles that isn't tough I blend in the blendar and make cream of asparagus soup base and freeze it so when we want soup all I have to do is take out some of the frozen puree, add 1/2 n 1/2 and joila, dinner is ready.