Climate Shift Sparks Early Harvest Surge, Disrupting UK’s Seasonal Growing Calendar

Climate change is turning the UK’s growing calendar on its head, as an unseasonably warm and dry spring has triggered an early glut of fresh fruits and vegetables—effectively closing the traditional “hungry gap” weeks ahead of schedule.

The hungry gap, which typically runs from March to early June, is a challenging time for British growers. It’s the period when stored winter produce has run out and summer crops have yet to mature. But this year, growers are finding their glasshouses and polytunnels brimming with early harvests.

“It feels like it's the middle of May already,” said Nick Haigh from the Community Farm, south of Bristol. “We have loads and loads of crops right now—tomatoes, aubergines, cucumbers, peppers—they are all ready two or three weeks early. We are crazy busy already. We are feeling the push right now.”

At Kew Gardens in south-west London, the change is just as evident. Héléna Dove, head of the kitchen garden, has witnessed the growing seasons shift dramatically. “The recent warm weather is allowing plants to establish quicker and fruit earlier. Crops like chickpeas and lentils, which we wouldn’t have considered growing a decade ago, are now thriving.”

Some British growers are also managing to reduce their reliance on imports, as warmer conditions allow them to successfully cultivate previously unsuitable crops. This shift not only benefits consumers by increasing the availability of homegrown food but also strengthens local food security and shortens supply chains.

However, the benefits are being tempered by mounting uncertainty. The season has also brought extremes. Record-breaking wet conditions earlier in the year caused flooding in some areas, delaying planting and damaging soil structure. Now, the rapid switch to heat and sun is accelerating plant growth, sometimes too quickly for supply chains to keep up.

Farmers are, on the whole, enjoying the sunny growing season. Dale Robinson, supply chain head at the organic vegetable box company Riverford, said: “This spring has been one of the warmest many of us can remember, bringing a real sense of joy and hope to our fields. Crops like purple sprouting broccoli and wild garlic have thrived, and the early warmth has allowed for timely planting of main crops. It’s a welcome change from the delays caused by last year’s wet winter – the wettest on record.

“While we celebrate these favourable conditions, our growers remain mindful of the increasing unpredictability brought about by climate change. The real challenge lies not in the gradual shifts, but in the erratic weather extremes – sudden frosts, hailstorms, droughts – all of which can undo months of hard work in a single day.”

“A few months ago, we thought it would be a slow season,” Haigh added. “Now we’re saying there’s too much too soon. You just can’t predict the climate anymore. We’re constantly adapting and watching the forecasts like hawks.”

The concern is not just about pace, but resilience. With the lines between seasons increasingly blurred, growers are being forced to rethink everything from planting schedules to crop varieties.

The message from producers is clear: although this year’s early glut brings short-term relief, the long-term uncertainty posed by climate change threatens the resilience of the UK’s food supply. As the hungry gap narrows, the challenge for British agriculture is widening.