Drought leaves England facing worst pumpkin harvest on record

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 21:44 · Archive

England's drought has produced smaller pumpkins than usual this Halloween, with 2026 potentially the worst harvest on record.

England has faced an exceptionally dry spell throughout 2026 that has dramatically affected agricultural yields. Pumpkins, which consist of roughly 90 per cent water, have been particularly vulnerable to these conditions, with data suggesting this year could be the worst harvest on record.

Guy Barter, chief horticulturalist at the Royal Horticultural Society, said pumpkins are on the small side this year unless heavily watered. He noted that such drought makes watering sufficiently very difficult in practice, and that while pumpkins are relatively drought-tolerant, this year's weather stretched their tolerance to the limit.

Guy Singh-Watson, founder of organic veg box company Riverford, suggested the drought might prompt a rethink of the obsession with giant carving pumpkins. He said: 'After such an extraordinarily hot, dry summer, it's not surprising that Halloween pumpkins are smaller than usual as they are mostly water.' Growers have suggested painting faces on vegetables instead of carving them, or returning to the 17th-century tradition of carving root vegetables such as turnips and celeriac.

How it is being reported

• Britons to carve smaller pumpkins this Halloween after ‘worst harvest on record’Britons could be forced to carve smaller pumpkins this Halloween following this year's brutal drought conditions. England has endured an exceptionally dry spell throughout 2026, wreaking havoc on agricultural yields across the board. This year's harvest may prove to be the worst ever recorded, as growers found it near-impossible to keep their crops adequately watered. Pumpkins, which consist of roughly 90 per cent water, are particularly vulnerable to such conditions. Originally from the Americas, the vegetable first arrived on British shores during the Tudor era in the 16th century. Guy…GB News · 17 Oct, 21:28
• Squash down: smaller pumpkins expected this Halloween after drought in EnglandData 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...The Guardian · 17 Oct, 10:00

In this story: England · Guy Singh-Watson · Riverford · Guy Barter · Royal Horticultural Society

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