Squash down: smaller pumpkins expected this Halloween after drought in England
Data shows 2026 could be worst harvest on record, as growers suggest painting faces on vegetables instead of carving In the lead-up to Halloween, front porches across the country feature fat, proudly carved pumpkins, lit from within by tea lights. But this year there is likely to be a shortage due to drought, experts have warned, with the squashes much smaller than usual. Continue reading...
This Halloween, smaller pumpkins are expected due to a severe drought in England, which has led to the smallest harvest on record. Growers have suggested using mini pumpkins or painting faces on vegetables instead of carving traditional large pumpkins. England has faced a punishing drought, making it difficult to irrigate crops.
Pumpkins, which are 90% water, are particularly affected by the drought. Guy Singh-Watson, founder of Riverford, believes that the obsession with large carving pumpkins should be questioned. The practice of carving vegetables dates back to 17th-century Britain, when people carved root vegetables like turnips and mangelwurzels into grotesque faces to ward off evil spirits.
The drought has made watering thoroughly challenging, and the heat has caused the fruits to ripen earlier than usual. Despite being drought-tolerant, this year's heat and drought stress have stretched the pumpkins' tolerance to the limit. Singh-Watson questions the wastefulness of growing large pumpkins solely for Halloween and proposes growing more creative and flavorful squash varieties instead.
Written by urgent.news from Guardian Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
