[cc]

Didn't pick any first year.
Should I let some foliage grew first before I start picking?
How much foliage should alowe to grow?
Thanks in advance.

[Hampshire Hog]

Personally I would wait at least another year depending on how old your crowns were when you planted them. You should be able to judge how the plants are getting on by the size of the spears. For the first couple of years my plants merely generated the sort of size you see in a flower bouquet, now thicker than the ones sold in supermarkets. If you do decide to harvest some spears just take a few to let the plants establish.
Cheers HH 

[hasbeans]

Patience seems to have worked for us.
Our patch of  is now in year 4, they were two year old crowns when planted.  In year two we ate one meals worth just to see what they were like, then maybe one spear from each crown in year three.  This year the spears are appearing as fat as a thumb and two/three per crown.  I'll pick most of the spears for the next couple of weeks then leave it alone this year
My understanding is that production slows once the spears unfurl.  I'd look for crowns with multiple spears and maybe pick the thinnest to try but leave the rest.  Once grown the thinnest spears will probably end horizontal the first time there's strong winds anyway.  I found that they grew twice as high in year three than previous years.
I leave all foliage unless it breaks as it's charging the roots for next year.