RHS Urges Gardeners to Drop Cauliflowers Amid Rising Heatwaves

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has advised gardeners in England to stop growing cauliflowers, citing changing climate conditions that make the crop increasingly difficult to cultivate, according to a report by The Guardian.

Cauliflower, long considered a staple accompaniment to the traditional British Sunday roast, is a brassica that requires consistent moisture and cool conditions to thrive. The RHS said that more frequent heatwaves and shifting weather patterns in England have made the vegetable a less reliable choice for home gardeners.

The charity is recommending that gardeners instead consider more drought-tolerant crops as a substitute for cauliflower and other thirsty brassicas, according to the report.

The RHS's guidance reflects broader concerns among horticultural organizations about how climate change is altering which crops can be successfully grown in the United Kingdom. The report noted that England's climate has changed enough that traditional growing advice for certain vegetables may no longer be suitable.

The Guardian's report did not specify which alternative crops the RHS is recommending in place of cauliflower, though it noted the emphasis is on drought-tolerant options.