Dedicated asparagus grower, George Moule, is absolutely passionate about this sumptuous vegetable and his customers.
"People really enjoy eating asparagus and love talking about it," says George, who revels in conversation with customers buying from the farm gate. "People think that asparagus is 'a bit different' and those who are traditional want to eat it in season. It's the first call of spring for them and a special landmark in the year," George continues.
George comes from a long family farming tradition growing many different crops but now exclusively grows asparagus on his farm at Hartlebury in Worcestershire. After growing asparagus for over twenty years, George decided to specialise in asparagus five years ago and now has 45 acres of land committed to his favourite crop. In addition to selling at the farm gate, George sells through local farm shops and also to a cooperative that sells it on to multiple retailers.
As George and his wife lead quite solitary lives on the farm for most of the year, they really enjoy the harvesting and cutting season. They gain great pleasure from catching up with all of the labourers who come to help them with the harvest, especially as they are such a diverse group of interesting people.
The most stunning fact about asparagus for George is how fast asparagus will grow in the perfect growing conditions. On a very hot day, asparagus can grow up to six inches in a day.
George is a great ambassador for asparagus and eats it every day during the season - the best way for him is lightly cooked with butter, salt and pepper, served with some fresh bread. If his asparagus growing career ended tomorrow, then George would head off travelling and New Zealand would probably be top of his list.
