The Scottish asparagus season is well underway in Coupar Angus, Perthshire.
Denhead Farms planted the first asparagus plants 4 years ago, unfortunately their first commercial crop coincided with the first lockdown due to Covid, so things had to get put on hold.
“Every year we grow a bit more asparagus,” said Karen Neill from the company. “We also grow soft fruit and wanted to align our worker profile better by elongating the season.”
The sandy loam soils in the area are perfect for growing asparagus and according to Karen they are not the only ones growing it but are one of the earliest to harvest.
“We had our first harvest on 16th of April this year and expect to run until near the end of June. We have been restricted by the lockdowns until now, but have nevertheless been building our customer base over the last couple of years supplying retail, wholesale, catering and our own farm shop Denhead Farmstand just outside Couper Angus. Retail is important to us but we also want to keep the asparagus as a premium product and supply locally.”
Denhead Farm’s asparagus was used by Master Chef 2022 semi-finalist Sarah Rankin this week, when she had to choose local produce for a dish she was creating.
Denhead Farms grows asparagus over 14 hectares, 9.5 in tunnels and 4.5 on open ground.
“We start in the tunnels and then move to the open ground crop later in the season, this takes us nicely into the soft fruit season. We grow strawberries, raspberries and blueberries as well as broccoli, carrots and potatoes.”
For more information:
Karen Neill
denheadproduce@jneill.co.uk