Some farms in the Ottawa region are facing challenges this year as heavy rainfall during the summer season has resulted in damaged pumpkin crops. Saunders Farm in rural south Ottawa, currently hosting PumpkinFest, has had to source about half of their pumpkins from other areas to compensate for the reduced yield caused by the weather conditions. Mark Saunders, the farm’s Director of fun, mentioned that collaborating with other pumpkin farmers to meet demand is a regular practice for them, but this year the volume of pumpkins brought in has significantly increased due to a decrease in their own crop by at least 40 percent.
July 2026 marked the rainiest month in over 150 years in the capital, with a record-breaking 281.8 millimeters of rainfall recorded at the Ottawa International Airport. The excessive rain throughout the summer led to waterlogged fields, creating unfavorable conditions for pumpkin growth. Saunders explained that the elevated water table prevented proper drainage, suffocating the pumpkins by depriving them of oxygen, ultimately causing crop losses for many farmers in the region.
While some farms managed to produce decent yields based on their location and drainage systems, overall, the pumpkin harvest this year is lower than usual. Mel Foster, co-owner of Foster Family Farm, highlighted that their harvest is also down by approximately 40 percent compared to previous years, impacting their business operations. Plans for infrastructure development and equipment upgrades have been postponed due to the financial strain caused by the poor crop.
Saunders advised consumers looking for pumpkins for Halloween decorations to consider purchasing them sooner rather than later to avoid potential shortages. He suggested decorating with the pumpkins now and saving the carving for closer to Halloween for a festive and long-lasting display. The challenging harvest season has compelled farmers to make tough decisions, with financial constraints affecting their ability to invest in farm improvements.