The Royal Horticultural Society has observed an uptick in apricot cultivation in the UK, attributing this trend to a warming climate. The society forecasts an increased interest in cultivating exotic vegetables such as amaranth and edamame beans. Queries related to apricot cultivation have escalated dramatically, from 82 to 1,294, while interest in cherry cultivation has also seen a notable rise, from 127 to 352. Conversely, traditional crops like celery and large sweet parsnips are experiencing a decline in popularity, a shift the society links to the changing climate conditions in the UK, characterized by warmer winters and wetter summers.
At the launch of its Festival of Flavours at RHS Harlow Carr in Harrogate, the society showcased a wide array of vegetables being grown across its five gardens, including exotic varieties such as basella, callaloo, amaranth, colocasia, yams, lablab beans, black-eyed peas, tomatillo, and snake gourd. This diversity demonstrates the feasibility of cultivating these crops in the UK's evolving climate. The society also highlighted the successful cultivation of figs, traditionally considered too tender for the UK climate, and the production of melons and watermelons in Kent and Cambridgeshire as evidence of the changing agricultural landscape.
Guy Barter, Chief Horticulturist at the RHS, commented on the impact of climate change on horticulture, noting both the challenges and opportunities it presents for fruit and vegetable cultivation. He anticipates a future where traditional dishes may include a wider variety of vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, alongside the staple potato.
Source: MailOnline