Last week, Stefanie Härtel, spokesperson of the Bavarian Farmers’ Association, stated “so far, so good”. However the farmers hope that the weather forecast for the coming days will be milder than predicted. The German Weather Forecast Services predicted weather with temperatures clearly below freezing. These low temperatures could damage young plants and blossoms, stated Theo Däxl the horticultural expert of the Farmers' Association. "It is critical at temperatures between -3 to -4 degrees."
The farmers are not only concerned about their early strawberries, apple, pear and cherry blossoms, but also about the just-appearing young shoots, such as maize and turnips. Farmers protect asparagus and strawberries with covers. “At the moment we are coping; it is more work to put on the covers,” said Däxl. The blossoms of the fruit trees are sprayed with water, when the water freezes it protects the blossom.
Warm weather had a positive effect on the Easter asparagus yield. “The good weather until Easter was ideal, because we could meet the high demand during the Easter holiday. If it continues like this, we will be very satisfied with the asparagus yield." According to Däxl, all the crops are about two weeks ahead. This way the plants can grow and mature longer until harvest time, but at the same time the risk of late frost damage increases.
Source: Proplanta