Media reports have suggested that the UK asparagus season is already in full swing. But according to members of the Asparagus Growers' Association (AGA) this news may be premature.

The effect of warm spring days has been counteracted by frosty nights, which means that the bulk of the main crop is still expected to appear around the traditional start date of 1st May.

The timing of the first cut will vary from region to region. Ronda Morritt, who grows asparagus outside the traditional growing areas of Kent, Norfolk and the Vale of Evesham, has an asparagus farm in Yorkshire. She was looking forward to her first crop of the season on April 24 but explains that predicting the start date is a very inexact science, 'With an asparagus crop there's nothing to see until the shoots actually appear out of the soil,' said Morritt. 'It's completely different to a strawberry crop where you can see the berries and can anticipate when they'll ripen.' Andy Allen, a Norfolk grower and vice-chairman of the (AGA) is looking forward to a traditional start to the season, 'I can set my watch by my asparagus crop,' he said. 'Every year it appears on May 1 and I don't expect this year to be any different.' Although there is talk of extending the season using new technology, the AGA stresses that the main crop still starts on May 1 and lasts for eight to 10 weeks.

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