Why it could be harder to get your hands on a pumpkin this year

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Image caption, You might be looking forward to getting a pumpkin at Halloween this year - but how has this year's harvest been?

The National Trust has said the weather and an "army of slugs" are to blame for lower pumpkin and squash numbers this year.

The organisation runs gardens across the UK which grow fruit and vegetables throughout the year.

It says there have been fewer pumpkins grown at a number of their sites because of this year's bad weather and heavy rain - which has also caused slugs to take over the gardens and munch on the pumpkins.

Get autumnal with Newsround:

How do you grow a pumpkin?

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Pumpkins need a long period of dry weather and sunlight to grow. After they flower, the plant slowly grows a big fruit, which we call a pumpkin.

When the fruit starts to grow, it needs lots of sunlight and a regular amount of water to get bigger.

If it's been too wet or too cold the pumpkins could stay small, or not grow at all.

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Image caption, It was a pretty wet summer this year!

The Met Office says this summer was the coldest of the past nine years.

Andrew Hunt, who is a Head Gardener for the National Trust, said "pumpkins need a long, hot growing season to do well."

"Unfortunately, we had a cold and prolonged spring, which meant that germination took place later than normal and then the cooler and wetter conditions over the summer really haven’t helped".

Germination is the term for a seed sprouting out of the ground.

"Army of slugs"

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Image caption, The humble slug - nature's saviour or lettuce muncher? It could be both...

The National Trust explained there has been an "army of slugs" eating vegetables this year.

Slugs love damp, wet weather, which is why you see them more after it rains.

Although slugs can cause problems for gardeners, the RHS says that we need to look after our slugs in the UK, as they're excellent for biodiversity.

People are advised to avoid using pesticides and try different methods to entice slugs away from their home-grown vegetables.

Pumpkin top tips

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If you're preparing for Halloween and planning to get a pumpkin, why not use all of it.

Once you have carved the pumpkin and removed the fleshy inside, don't throw it away! The inside can be used to make stews or soups, and the seeds can be toasted to make yummy pumpkin seeds.

If you have a garden, you could leave smaller chunks of the pumpkin for squirrels or birds.

Newsround has a full guide to making the most of your pumpkins here.