The Royal Horticultural Society has advised home gardeners to stop growing cauliflower and other brassicas as climate conditions in the United Kingdom have become increasingly unsuitable for these traditional crops. The recommendation comes amid a poor harvest outlook for most brassicas, including broccoli, cabbages, and cauliflower, with farmers warning that this year could rank among the worst on record.
This summer was confirmed as the UK’s hottest on record according to provisional Met Office data, with temperatures in England reaching 38.1C at Kew Gardens in London on 13 August. June had already been established as the country’s hottest since record-keeping began in 1884. Scientific research indicates that such extreme heat events are linked to the climate crisis and fossil fuel combustion.
The RHS explained that cauliflowers and calabrese are particularly vulnerable to high temperatures and drought stress, as they require substantial water and cool conditions to form proper heads. Many of the charity’s own horticulturists had already ceased growing cauliflower due to repeated cultivation failures. Guy Barter, the RHS’s chief horticulturist, stated that replacing brassicas with equally nutritious and flavorful alternatives would reduce watering demands and improve harvest reliability.
Horticulturists working in RHS gardens have been experimenting with warmer-climate vegetables as substitutes. Purple sprouting broccoli, kale, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and sweet potatoes have demonstrated improved performance, while tropical crops including okra, chillies, and watermelon have shown successful growth outdoors in some regions. RHS staff members reported strong results with Italian heirloom cucumber-melons and yard-long beans, attributing their success to recent heat patterns. The organization noted that recent rainfall may support recovery in winter crop varieties including carrots, leeks, and brussels sprouts.
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