A pumpkin shortage across Hampshire in the run-up to Hallowe’en has been caused by excessive wet weather and poor pollination due to cold wet conditions, according to the team at Westlands Farm Shop in Wickham.
This year’s harvest has been “disappointing” according to Kayleigh Collett from Westlands Farm Shop because seeds struggled to germinate in the cold and wet that was a feature of this summer.
Despite seeing a dip in pumpkin harvest, the family-run farm is still stocking a wide variety of pumpkins and gourds in its farm shop in Wickham, Hampshire. Kayleigh said:
“Warm temperatures and ample sunlight are essential for pumpkins to grow to their full size. Countrywide, it has been the wettest summer on record since 2015, which has caused yield problems for farmers across the UK."
“Pumpkins are heavily reliant on bees for pollination, and when germination and bee activity is disrupted by cooler temperatures or rain, the plants don’t get the pollination they need to produce healthy fruits."
“Bees are vital not only for pumpkins, but for many crops that rely on their hard work. The drop in bee activity because of colder weather and a lack of sunshine is something we’ve been watching closely, and it’s a reminder of how essential pollinators are to a sustainable environment and successful farming.”
Kayleigh added: “Westlands Farm Shop is committed to practising sustainable farming all year round.”
The farm enhances natural pollination by introducing bee hives directly into its polytunnels. By supporting these vital pollinators, the farm improves its soft fruit yield and contributes to the overall sustainability of British agriculture.
The farm also built a reservoir that can collect up to 2.5 million litres of rainwater, which is recycled to be used for crop irrigation. This practice significantly reduces reliance on local water supplies and minimises environmental impact.
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