UK’s first British-grown Autumn Asparagus launched in M&S stores

In a major first, M&S is launching the UK’s first ever ‘reverse’ season British grown Asparagus, which will be available exclusively in M&S stores from now until November.

This revolutionary development has been delivered as a result of five years of collaboration between M&S and its British asparagus grower, John Chinn, to develop a new way of growing British asparagus long after the traditional spring season has ended.

The new ‘Reverse Season’ British asparagus, which has the same super sweet taste as the spring varieties, is being grown by John in the Wye Valley in Herefordshire. The production system relies on harnessing the sun’s energy, not artificial heat, and is based on the discovery of a new variety of asparagus that can grow in the UK climate at this time of year.

Commenting on the launch, M&S agronomist, Dr Simon Coupe, said:

“There is always an air of excitement when the first British asparagus comes into season in the spring and our customers always tell us that it’s such a shame that the window to enjoy it is so short, so we decided this was something we wanted to try to change.

“We went on several study trips with our grower, who travels the world researching asparagus, and in the Mediterranean we discovered a special new variety that we thought could grow in the UK. We then worked out a careful plan for feeding and watering it so it could grow in the UK during the autumn to enable us to deliver a second season of delicious British Asparagus.”

John Chinn, M&S asparagus grower, added:

“This is a really exciting achievement. By discovering this new variety we will revolutionise the asparagus industry by offering British-grown asparagus to M&S customers for a further two months, long after the traditional season has finished. We really want to drive the British asparagus industry forward and do this in the most sustainable and natural way.”