Snow fell on 19th March 2018 in the area between Modena and Bologna covering the orchards, some of which had already blossomed. Producers are worried about what's coming next.
San Giovanni in Persiceto (photo from the web)
"Cherry trees are not in bloom yet, so it's not a problem. Apricot trees and a few plum trees are in bloom, yet it's fine as the temperature is between 0 and 1°C. My father told me it's not the first time that it has snowed on blooms in March," explains Nadia Nobili, cherry producer from Vignola.
Apofruit technician Davide Marconi explains that producers are worried about the frost forecast for Thursday 22nd March 2018. "When it snows, temperatures are around 0°C and it's not a problem. Actually we are more worried about the rain and snow on apricot flowers due to the risk of Monilia."
Photo by Silvana Pignatti, Vignola (from the web)
"Fields are white in the plain and there are 15 cm of snow on the hills. What we are really worried about, though, is the clear skies forecast for the next few days," explains Mercato di Vignola Director Valter Monari.
Alberto Zambon, potato producer from Bologna, explains that "we still have to sow anything, while last year sowing was almost over at this time of year. The fields are still very wet, so we won't be able to access them for a few days."