A Manchester-based agricultural venture, Boundary Farm in Dunham Massey, encountered an unprecedented setback this autumn as their pumpkin harvest did not materialize as expected. This marked the first occurrence of such a failure in three decades. Chris Hewitt, the proprietor of Boundary Farm, attributed this anomaly to the adverse climatic conditions of the preceding spring, which were not favorable for the germination of pumpkin seeds. Despite planting between 40,000 to 45,000 seeds with an anticipation of approximately 120,000 pumpkins, the farm only managed to cultivate around 600 pumpkins this year.
The scarcity of pumpkins not only represented a deviation from the norm but also posed a financial challenge for the farm, which traditionally relies on the income from pumpkin sales to cover winter rent expenses. Hewitt highlighted that the diminished yield was a nationwide issue, primarily caused by the wet spring weather, which is crucial for successful seed germination and crop establishment.
In addition to the low yield, the wet conditions increased the risk of diseases, necessitating additional investment in chemical treatments to manage these potential threats. In response to these challenges, Boundary Farm shifted its focus to its apple orchards, leveraging its 6,500 apple trees to inaugurate an Apple Festival. This initiative allowed visitors to engage in apple picking and sample fresh apple juice and cider, receiving positive feedback and full bookings on operational days. Despite the setback with the pumpkin crop, the farm has witnessed a surge in apple juice sales, benefiting from the increased visitor traffic.
Source: Metro