As the asparagus season is in full swing, Sopley farmer Dan Tanner and his team are busy harvesting these popular spring vegetables, ready to sell in his shop. Dan has been growing the super food at his farm for nearly 30 years.
"We harvest between 1st April to 1st June, so it's one of the first crops of the year for us, along with rhubarb. Field grown asparagus is harvested in its third year, and while our farms are pick-your-own for many other fruits and vegetables we collect this vegetable ourselves because there is a cutting technique to it."
Dan listed the many health benefits of the nutrient-rich plant: "It promotes weight loss, improves digestions, lowers blood pressure and contributes to a healthy pregnancy because of its high levels of folic acid," Dan told advertiserandtimes.co.uk. "Asparagus also has a diuretic function, helping the cleansing process by activating the functions of the liver and kidneys that eliminate toxins - hence why your wee can be rather smelly."
"This time last year, we gave away a ton of asparagus to the surrounding hospitals because there wasn't the customers, hotels or restaurants to buy it," he said. "But for pick-your-own it was the best year we've ever had.”