Heatwave sees gardeners ditch British classics to grow more exotic fruit and veg like avocados and pomegranates

• Royal Horticultural Society said traditional plants are struggling in the heat
• The heatwave means watermelons, bananas and avocados are doing well
• 2022 has been the driest year since 1976 so far and has broken records
• It has been the joint hottest English summer with an average of 17.1C

British gardeners are ditching their cucumber frames and cabbage patches to grow more exotic fruit and veg such as avocados and pomegranates – thanks to the heatwave.

While traditional plants such as roses are struggling in the heat, others including watermelons and bananas are flourishing, the Royal Horticultural Society said.

This year has seen several records, with the hottest day ever at 40.3C in July, and the joint hottest English summer with an average of 17.1C.

One milestone – with 2022 being the driest year since 1976 so far – has posed a challenge to gardeners. But many have found that tropical plants that cost a lot at the greengrocer can now be grown more easily here.

British gardeners are ditching their cucumber frames and cabbage patches to grow more exotic fruit and veg such as avocados and pomegranates – thanks to the heatwave. Pictured is an avocado tree

One family and their neighbours in Southwark, South London, are nurturing a 12ft tree full of avocados. 

Engineer Kamlesh Musrani, 57, said: ‘As summers get warmer there’s more fruit. It was planted years ago and the yield is bigger.’

In Ipswich, window cleaner Chris Bower, 39, has had a bumper crop of watermelons, pineapples, sweet potatoes, peppers and aubergines, and expects lots of lemons and limes.

He said: ‘It’s been a great year. The way the climate is going has allowed me to have plants you would normally expect in a Mediterranean or Californian garden.’

RHS chief horticulturist Chris Barter said milder winters and roasting summers help exotic plants.

While traditional plants such as roses are struggling in the heat, others including watermelons and bananas are flourishing, the Royal Horticultural Society said. Picture: file image

Source: Read Full Article