Cornwall has been discovered by UK supermarkets as a potential major source for early asparagus. The first of the crop was being sold by Marks & Spencer, Tesco and Sainsbury’s this week.
Hugh Mowat, M&S technologist, estimates that the combination of mild weather and growing the crop under plastic covers has allowed the season to start three weeks earlier than last year. “It is being marketed under our British speciality range,” he explained.
Latest news is that if temperatures continue at their present levels the main season could get underway by April 1, according to Victor Aveling, chairman of the Asparagus Growers’ Association.
“More and more growers are using polythene covers, and we could be at least a week earlier,” he says, adding the proviso that with over 25 years experience forecasts can still radically change, even at this stage.
