UK pumpkin harvest shrinks as 2026 drought forces smaller Halloween gourds

England’s 2026 drought has produced what may become the poorest pumpkin harvest on record, with growers struggling to keep the water-rich crops hydrated. Royal Horticultural Society chief horticulturalist Guy Barter says the plants are small unless heavily watered, a task made nearly impossible by the prolonged heat. Riverford’s Guy Singh-Watson argues the tradition of oversized carving pumpkins is unsustainable and proposes using diverse, flavorful squash instead.

He also highlights the environmental cost of growing pumpkins that are discarded after Halloween. At RHS Harlow Carr in North Yorkshire, garden manager Ali Goding has trialled a compost-cake technique that improves moisture retention and supports wildlife, yielding promising results despite the challenging climate. The situation revives historic British customs of carving root vegetables for Samhain, offering a potential shift in seasonal décor.