Vegetable buyers from U.K. retailer Morrisons believe Great Britain could be in for its best crop of outdoor grown asparagus in nearly decade.

By combining intelligence on growing conditions from farmers and taking into account forecasts for a three-month heatwave, the company estimates the 2015 asparagus crop could increase by up to 20%.

"Growing conditions look like they are going to be perfect," Morrisons asparagus buyer David Bartle says in a release.

"The good weather will not only affect the amount of asparagus grown but also the quality of the crop. We could have the most exceptional year since 2007."

The vegetable will hit shelves on April 27, with most of the crop coming from the supermarket's outdoor growers in the Vale of Evesham and Kent.

The retailer says that due to the exceptionally warm growing conditions, this year's asparagus will have tender spears with tight heads which will taste sweet and fresh.

In the release, Bartle also highlighted the following 10 facts about the perrenial species.

1. Asparagus was first documented in 300BC in Egypt and is said to have arrived in Britain with the Romans in the first century CE.

2. Each crop is in the ground for 10 years and takes three years to grow to maturity before harvest.

3. The U.K. asparagus season traditionally runs from St George's Day to the Summer Solstice.

4. Approximately one metric tons (MT) of asparagus grows per acre of land.

5. Most British asparagus is green. Morrisons sells the Mondeo, Gueleph, Millennium and Gijnlim varieties.

6. The best quality of asparagus has tight crisp tips and firm green spears.

7. For best results, the vegetable should be lightly cooked - between 3-6 minutes - and eaten ‘al dente’ with butter.

8. Asparagus contains A, B and C vitamins, fibre and folic acid, and is virtually fat-free. These nutrients can boost your immune system, maintain healthy skin, nails and hair, and are good for the heart.

9. Asparagus is said to have aphrodisiac properties, though this has never been proven.

10. Some people - but not all - experience strange smelling urine after eating asparagus. This is due to sulphur-containing amino acids in the vegetable. It's thought the ability to detect the odor is a result of some people breaking amino acids down during digestion and others having the nasal receptors needed to pick up the smell.

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