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Suffolk pumpkin farm that usually grows 10,000 manages just 50 after a scorching drought as Halloween shortage looms

Suffolk pumpkin farm that usually grows 10,000 manages just 50 after a scorching drought as Halloween shortage looms

Liz Paterson and Andrew King of Ruffins Farm in Bury St Edmunds had water to irrigate, but chose to give it to their 500 breeding ewes instead. Paterson said the heat also meant the plants 'just didn't pollinate'. The Met Office declared this summer the warmest since UK records began. RHS chief horticulturalist Guy Barter said the weather 'stretched their tolerance to the limit'.

Picking Patch in Hampshire's New Forest says its pumpkins came out 50 to 60 per cent smaller.

Riverford founder Guy Singh-Watson urged Britons to question their 'obsession with giant carving pumpkins'.

Paterson fears El Niño brings more drought: 'This climate doesn't work for pumpkins.'

MoreGB NewsBritons to carve smaller pumpkins this Halloween after ‘worst harvest on record’LBCHalloween nightmare as UK faces pumpkin shortage after scorching summerThe GuardianSquash down: smaller pumpkins expected this Halloween after drought in EnglandMetro.co.ukHere's why you shouldn't be spooked if your pumpkins are smaller this HalloweenRTÉ IrelandSummer drought impacts UK pumpkin crops ahead of HalloweenUA.NEWSSmaller Halloween pumpkins expected in England due to drought — The Guardian - UA.NEWS
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