Halloween pumpkins may not be big enough to carve this year after record breaking heatwaves and persistent drought stunted the crops growth.
The orange gourds are usually a seasonal favourite to create spooky carvings. But farmers have warned pumpkins this year are expected to be almost half the size and have thicker skins, making them harder to cut into.
That’s because when temperatures reach 30C, pumpkins do not grow as fast. The UK saw five back-to-back heatwaves and temperatures surpass 30C over 40 days between May and September, which is the peak pumpkin growth season.
Drought was also declared across the majority of England and Wales, and as a result the crops were unable to reach their full size.
“In the heat, the pumpkins just gave up and stopped growing early, even when there was moisture available. With the lack of water and heat, it was a double whammy,” David Coulter, a farmer from Suffolk-based Home Farm Pumpkins, told the Telegraph.
Growers have suggested families should draw or paint on their pumpkins for Halloween rather than carving them, others have said this is a good opportunity to discuss how climate can change crops.
Gavin Lane, the president of the Country Land and Business Group, said: “This is an opportune moment for parents to talk to their children about the effects of the weather on growing crops and the potential difficulty of growing vegetables in the future.”
Pumpkins are not the only crop affected by the drought and heatwave this year.
Potatoes have also had a poor-quality harvest with spuds being so small McCain, the oven-chip giant, has been buying up last year’s stock to keep its operations running.
Apples are also smaller and have started falling earlier.
Cider makers have warned the heatwave has resulted in sweeter pears and apples, which could result in more alcoholic ciders.
Sparkling wine producers are now eyeing up vineyards in England due to weather conditions in the south of the country.
Tattinger now own a vineyard in Kent and Vranken-Pommery has opened a site in Hampshire.
