Sure signs of spring as British asparagus to hit shops

Sainsbury's said it had asparagus grown under polytunnels in 100 stores yesterday while Marks & Spencer said it would have the vegetable on sale across the UK from Monday.

The UK asparagus season traditionally begins on May 1 and runs for seven to eight weeks.

However the vegetable depends on soil temperature of at least 10C to grow, meaning the first spears can appear on shop shelves earlier than the beginning of May if they have been grown under plastic covers.

Asparagus can also been grown over warmed pipes.

However, retailers compete to be the first to have the traditional outdoor, unforced version on shelves.

Tesco and Asda said they had a small amount of outdoor-grown UK asparagus in some stores already. Waitrose said it would start to have asparagus available from next week.

An M&S spokesman said: "Our customers look forward to the start of the British asparagus season, which many of them see as a sign that spring is on its way."

The retailer's asparagus comes from third generation British grower John Chinn, based in the Wye Valley.

It said both green and purple asparagus will be available from Monday ahead of a white variety later in the season.

A British Asparagus Growers' Association spokesman said: "The attraction in trying to be the first to have British asparagus each year is understandable.

"However the exciting time is the onset of the real season, which traditionally starts on or around May 1 when full-flavoured, outdoor British asparagus is available for everyone," he added.