British asparagus season is here

Asparagus is an earthy, green vegetable grown during the spring. It’s a herbaceous perennial plant, and the parts we eat are actually young shoots of a lily plant. It takes patience to grow, as it can take up to four years to produce edible spears. Asparagus spears should be firm and straight with pointed tips. It can be steamed, grilled or roasted and will become deliciously tender once cooked.

Chris Chinn and his fourth-generation farming family have been supplying us with British asparagus since 2005 – because nobody understands this stunning spring crop like they do. The Chinn family are committed to working in harmony with nature. “We have grass waterways within our fields and add wildflower mixes to attract pollinators,” says Chris. They also work with Cranfield University, experimenting with winter crops to build up organic matter, improve the soil’s microbiome and increase earthworm numbers because, as Chris says, “Healthy soil grows healthy food.”

We only choose the best asparagus from M&S Select Farms for the pick of the crop. Our trusted farmers supply spears with the best texture and flavour to stock our Foodhalls. With unique farming techniques, we’re able to grow asparagus earlier and for longer than the typical asparagus season. To learn more about seasonal fruit and veg, check out our guide to British produce.