The Ashby family have been farming near Oundle in Northamptonshire for over 100 years. Mike Ashby is the fourth generation and started growing asparagus in 2006. Everything is planted by hand, around 12,000 plants per acre and cut by hand once the season begins. Asparagus grows fast enough that some days the crop has to be cut twice. Once cut, it's washed, bundled, weighed and packed with the aim of getting the freshest possible spear to the customer. The season runs from St George's Day, 23rd April, to Midsummer's Eve, 21st June. As Mike puts it: "Asparagus is an amazing crop to grow, you have to be very patient though — it takes three years after planting before you can harvest." The farm has 40 acres of environmental measures woven into the landscape, barn owl boxes in the fields and woods and adheres to Red Tractor and LEAF Marque standards.

Social Media

https://www.instagram.com/ashbyasparagus/ https://www.facebook.com/ashbyasparagus

Can people visit or buy direct?

Yes. Asparagus is sold from the farm gate at Rectory Farm, Hemington Road, Polebrook, PE8 5LS. Open 7 days a week, 9am–5pm during the season (23rd April–21st June)

Website

https://ashbyasparagus.com

Address Summary

Rectory Farm, Hemington Road, Polebrook, PE8 5LS.