Marks & Spencer is launching a ‘reverse season’ British asparagus that will come into season in the autumn instead of the usual springtime. It will be available in M&S stores from September to November.

The retailer said had spent the past five years working with grower John Chinn to develop a new way of growing British asparagus beyond the traditional season.

“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,” said M&S agronomist Simon Coupe.

“We then worked out a careful plan for feeding and watering it so it could grow in the UK during the autumn for a second season of delicious British asparagus.”

Chinn, who is growing the autumn asparagus in Herefordshire’s Wye Valley, said he believed the new variety would “revolutionise the asparagus industry”.

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