BOSSES at one of south Essex’s most popular pumpkin farms has revealed its crop is 30 per cent down after heavy rain throughout the summer.
Foxes Farm, on Wash Road, Basildon, has proved a hit with celebrities and residents alike in recent years with the likes of Stacey Solomon and Alison Hammond spotted visiting the farm.
However, this year they are urging residents to visit early as the farm is at risk of running out of pumpkins following a wet summer.
The crop is almost a third down compared to last year as owners Guy and Emily French are backing the National Farmer’s Union in calls for the government to work with the Environment Agency and farmers to deliver better proactive flood management.
Mrs French said: “The wet weather has had a real impact for pumpkin growers all over the UK.
“We are looking forward to some great events this year, but there does need to be some planning for the future to help all farmers to deal with the increasing extreme weather.”
Guy and Emily are both fourth generation farmers and plant 25 pumpkin varieties each year.
The couple are advising customers to visit the farm earlier than normal as low crop numbers mean they cannot guarantee availability up until Halloween.
Mrs French said: “We started the pumpkin patches 10 years ago.
“The idea came to us after growing some pumpkins for our own wedding and they have become very popular.”
She added: “We felt we had to diversify our business and fortunately there has been great interest from the public.
“We really enjoy welcoming people to the farm to show them what we do.”
In October 2023, the couple grew some of their best ever pumpkins. They credited the late summer sun and ideal rainfall as nurturing their abnormally “plump” pumpkins.
In the same month, the couple also welcomed a film crew from BBC One’s Morning Live, who filmed a segment on harvesting pumpkins from the French’s patch. Presenter Briony May Williams visited the farm and spent time with the French’s.
Interested customers can check the farm’s website and social media each day to check if the pumpkin patches are open.
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