'Families can expect bigger Halloween pumpkins'

Jason and Becky Butler said the warm weather this year has helped them grow a bumper crop of pumpkins

Families celebrating Halloween this year can expect bigger pumpkins when they pick their seasonal squash.

Farmers across East Yorkshire told the BBC warm weather in the UK over the summer had helped produce a bumper crop.

Freddie Taylor, director at Drewton's Farm Shop in Brough, said 2024 had been their "worst year" for growing pumpkins due to wet weather but this year's higher temperatures had made a difference.

"This year the pumpkins are a good size because they enjoyed the sunshine in contrast to the wet and cold last year," said fellow farmer, Jason Butler.

Farmers across East Yorkshire say they have plenty of pumpkins this year

Last year, record-breaking rain left crops in parts of the country underwater, adding pressure on food producers.

But according to the Met Office, this summer was the hottest on record.

Andrew Farrow, manager at Thornton Abbey Maze in Ulceby, said "every year is different" when it comes to how well a crop performs but this year, the pumpkins "have done well and we've got lots".

Becky Butler said they had been forced to diversify their produce

Mr Butler, who last year feared there wouldn't be enough produce for those attending pumpkin-picking events at The Pumpkin Patch at Bewholme, said people would be spoiled for choice this year.

"It's been a better growing season compared to last year," he said. "I encourage people to come sooner rather than later while everything looks full and colourful."

Farmers say warm weather is crucial to producing big pumpkins

Mr Butler's wife Becky said they had been "forced" to diversify their range to include seasonal produce in 2010 because farmers weren't getting "fair prices" for their crops.

Poppy Smith, county advisor for the National Farmers' Union said diversification could be a challenge but it was "essential these days" to stay profitable.

"We've seen a lot of members diversify. This is a great way of bringing in additional income as well as their core business," she added.

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