The mild winter has resulted in an earlier than average start to the UK asparagus season, with Waitrose stocking early polytunnel-grown crops in Hampshire from the end of February.
The season formally begins around 23 April, but Sandy Booth, of supplier New Forest Fruit said that warm conditions, together with the use of coir rather than soil as a growing medium, had resulted in an earlier crop. He told Fruitnet, “By using the coir, we’re confident that this early crop will be some of the tastiest asparagus on the market. Perfect for enjoying alongside a creamy hollandaise or in a simple salad with free-range eggs.”
Waitrose vegetable buyer Lucy Darby-Smith commented, “We know how much our customers enjoy home-grown British asparagus, which is why we’re delighted that this year’s crop will be available earlier than usual. It’s a clear sign that spring is on its way and we’re certainly looking forward to the warmer weather.”
Chris Chinn, the chair of the British Asparagus Growers Association, told The Guardian, “Asparagus is very weather-dependent. This particular crop is grown in a protected environment but it will still be a bit variable depending on the sunlight receipts and ambient temperature. It’s been a mild winter without many frosts or snow on the ground.
“You won’t see [asparagus] everywhere in the shops until mid to late April. It slightly depends on the weather conditions as we get towards that point in time. If we get warm weather, it could be closer to mid-April, if it’s colder weather it’s going to be into May.”