Drought Impacts Pumpkin Harvests in the U.S.

CROSS PLAINS, Tenn. – This year, many pumpkin patches are facing a different look due to drought conditions affecting farmers across the United States. It’s not just a local issue; about 38% of the country is currently grappling with “moderate drought,” according to estimates from the University of Nebraska’s National Drought Mitigation Center. This situation is marked by crop damage, declining well water levels, and growing water shortages.

In Cross Plains, Tennessee, pumpkin farmers are feeling the strain of drought for the second consecutive year. Stephen Freeland, who cultivates pumpkins on 14 acres, reports that while some pumpkins are attempting to survive the dry spells, many are failing. “It’s because of the drought. I don’t know. It’s probably down 15 to 20 percent,” Freeland shared. “It’s like rain roulette. Who will it rain on and when?”

Typically, Freeland plants pumpkin seeds in June and July, and the first harvest usually thrives. However, this year, after some initial updates, the following weeks of heat without rain made conditions difficult. “When temperatures hit around 95 to 98 degrees, pumpkin plants often try to abort their newly pollinated fruit,” he explained. If it gets excessively hot, the plants start wilting, and flowers, crucial for pollination, tend to drop off more easily.

Freeland has made some adjustments to mitigate the stress caused by the drought, such as adding drip irrigation lines that draw water from a well. These lines deliver small amounts of water directly to the roots of the plants. However, implementing such agricultural adaptations often comes with financial burdens, leading farmers to increase prices, even for smaller pumpkins. “It’s just smaller and less marketable,” he noted.

Katie Osborn, who operates a family farm with 20 acres of pumpkins and 70 cows, shares similar concerns. Her farm lacks irrigation lines since her cows rely on a pond for hydration. “We’re praying a lot for rain at this critical time,” Osborn mentioned. “I don’t want to water the pond because I don’t want to deprive the cows of a water source.” She estimates her harvest is down about 30% this year, and though timing is critical for predicting next year’s weather, it’s too late to rectify this year’s situation.

Osborn expressed that with previous predictions of rain in late May and early June, some of their more prized larger pumpkins might need to be planted first during that period. Meanwhile, both Freeland and Osborn are wary of heavy rain—which could potentially do more harm than good—given the dry, hard ground. They remain hopeful for gentle rains that could prepare the soil for winter crops.