Scale down carving: smaller pumpkins expected this Halloween after drought in England; paint squash instead

Drought affects pumpkin growing

Pumpkins need substantial water to grow, and drought conditions have made it difficult for them to develop, particularly in heavy clay soil. Mini pumpkins may be needed for Halloween decorations, and some growers have suggested drawing faces on vegetables instead of carving them.

One grower said heat and drought stress caused fruit to ripen earlier than usual. The pumpkins had excellent dry matter content and rind hardness, the grower said, meaning they should store well. However, commercial pumpkins lose their value after Halloween, despite being suitable for soups into the new year.

Squash offers another option

A vegetable entrepreneur is selling boxes of small, colourful squashes, including crown prince, red onion, sweet lightning, futsu and stripetti. The grower said squash offer decorative variety as well as flavour, and suggested painting a face on one before eating it.

Pumpkins are native to the Americas and arrived in England during the 16th century, in the Tudor period. Before pumpkins became common for Halloween, people in 17th-century Britain carved root vegetables such as turnips, celeriac and mangelwurzels for Samhain.

Harlow Carr trial succeeds

Ali Goding, garden manager at RHS Harlow Carr in North Yorkshire, said the garden team tried growing pumpkins in a compost cake designed to retain moisture, humidity and warmth. Goding said the results were fantastic and also benefited wildlife.