FREDERICTON – The pumpkin patches on various Canadian farms are facing challenges as the Halloween season approaches, with many growers reporting difficulties due to drought and extreme heat conditions impacting their yields.
Greg MacKenzie, owner of Mackenzie Produce in Stratford, Prince Edward Island, expressed concern about his farm's reduced pumpkin yield this year, noting that some vines have died, leading to smaller pumpkins that may not meet harvest standards. He pointed out that the lack of September rains has further exacerbated these issues, which could affect his ability to export to the United States.
Other farmers across Canada have echoed similar sentiments to The Canadian Press, mentioning that this year's weather has created a "spooky season." A significant number of regions in Canada have experienced extreme drought, with the Canadian Drought Monitor indicating that around 71 percent of the country was classified as abnormally dry or experiencing moderate to extreme aridity, including 70 percent of farmland.
The Canadian Climate Institute reported that global warming is likely increasing the risk and severity of droughts, particularly affecting areas already struggling with water shortages. This situation has led to a rise in crop insurance payouts to farmers, skyrocketing from $890 million in 2018 to $4.9 billion in 2024, as drought conditions persist.
In central Alberta, farmer Mike Williams remarked on the stark transformation of his land to a muddy brown hue due to ongoing drought. He has been proactive, hauling nearly 300,000 liters of water since May in preparation for planting pumpkins and squash. While last year's crops were nearly a total loss, he found some relief this year, observing that certain pumpkins were weighing between 30 and 40 pounds.
In northwest London, Roy Phillips of Phillips Family Farm noted the peculiar weather patterns this season, which included considerable early rain followed by an extended dry spell. Although his clay soil retains water better than sandy soils, he still sees a reduction in the quantity and size of pumpkins, making this year a mixed blessing.
Donna Warner from Warner Ranch and Pumpkin Farm in Niagara Falls, Ontario, shared her emotional response to the season's challenges, describing it as the worst in her three-decade career. She reported severe heat stress on her plants, which led to a significant drop in the number of female flowers—the essential factor for pumpkin production. Warner's yield dropped by around 70 percent, and she expressed despair over the financial impact of the situation.
Danny Dill from Howard Dill Enterprises in Windsor, Nova Scotia, explained that the persistent high temperatures since June have created “oven-like” conditions detrimental to his pumpkins. He described the situation as dire, noting that the extreme weather has forced changes in purchasing behaviors, with people buying up other crops like squash for storage due to the poor pumpkin harvest. Dill lamented the unpredictable weather, which has shifted dramatically from flooding two years ago to severe drought now.
Finally, Dill humorously remarked on the unusual state of pumpkin fields this year, describing the jack-o'-lanterns' condition as more “sketchy” than spooky, comparing them to Casper the Friendly Ghost. He playful mentioned the iconic line from the ‘Ghostbusters’ theme song, highlighting the strange reality faced by farmers this season.
