Squash down: smaller pumpkins expected this Halloween after drought in England
Summary
This year, pumpkins in England are smaller than usual due to a long drought that has dried out the soil. Farmers struggled to water their crops, leading to a poor pumpkin harvest just before Halloween. Experts suggest using smaller squashes or carving other vegetables instead.Key Facts
- England has experienced a severe drought for most of the year, affecting many crops, including pumpkins.
- Pumpkins are about 90% water and need a lot of water to grow big.
- This year’s pumpkin harvest may be the worst on record in England.
- Smaller "mini" pumpkins are expected to be the main options for Halloween carving.
- Traditionally, before pumpkins were common, people in Britain carved turnips and other root vegetables for Halloween.
- Some experts say growing large pumpkins just to throw them away after Halloween wastes resources.
- New growing methods, like using compost cakes, have helped improve pumpkin growth in tough conditions.
- Pumpkins grown during this drought ripened earlier and have harder skins, which means they should keep well after harvest.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
