Fruit farmers in Brandenburg fight back against damaging night frost
- Agricultural producers battling cold nighttime temperatures
In the lush farming landscapes of Brandenburg, growers are battling against the chill of night frost to safeguard their precious fruit blossoms. Overnight on Sunday, temperatures plummeted to a frigid -5 to -4 degrees Celsius on Stefan Lindicke's plantations at Obsthof Lindicke in Werder. As he acknowledged, "That's no joke." Fruit blossoms can't tolerate such chilly conditions, especially when they're as delicate as buds.
To shield their fragile blossoms, farmers apply an ingenious strategy: they spray water generously, provided there's enough water to spare. On Obsthof Lindicke, gas heaters warm the air to create a cozy protective bubble around the crops. However, this method doesn't cover every nook and corner, says Lindicke. Throughout Brandenburg, the blossoms of apricots, plums, sweet cherries, and apples are all at risk from this frosty onslaught. We'll only get a clear picture of the damage in the days to come.
Last year's frost damage wreaked havoc on the fruit harvest, causing losses estimated between 10 to 14 million euros in June 2024. Some harvests were completely decimated. Fruit trees like apple and cherry suffered immensely from the bitter frost nights.
Looking ahead, the German Weather Service (DWD) anticipates below-freezing temperatures persisting in the coming nights, with many areas forecasted to dip below -4 degrees, and some reaching -7 degrees.
Farmers adapt
To guard against this frosty onslaught, fruit farmers across Brandenburg are arming themselves with innovative solutions. Some use irrigation systems to create a layer of ice on their budding blossoms, maintaining a protective blanket around 0°C. This insulating layer is crucial for preventing internal freezing. Others employ gas heaters or warm air blowers to keep their crops comfortable.
Monitoring and early warning systems are yet another critical tool. By keeping tabs on the weather, growers can activate their protective measures swiftly, ensuring the best possible outcome for their crops. However, as water conservation becomes increasingly important due to drought risks affecting the wider region, these strategies could potentially face new challenges. It's a complex dance between protecting crops and preserving precious resources.
[1] Source: Overall enrichment data
[2] Source: Enrichment data focusing on water conservation concerns in the region
- In the face of the upcoming freezing temperatures predicted by the German Weather Service, it's essential that Brandenburg's community policy includes measures to protect its farmers and their employment policy, especially those focused on water conservation, given the recent drought risks.
- Employment policies in Brandenburg should provide support to farmers during periods of increased risk, such as the outbreak of damaging night frosts, which could lead to significant crop loss and economic strain, as seen in the estimated losses of 10 to 14 million euros in June 2024.
- As fruit farmers in Brandenburg prepare for the anticipated cold snap, they have adapted by implementing innovative techniques like irrigation systems, gas heaters, and warm air blowers to shield their blossoms, reflecting the need for flexible and adaptable employment policies that accommodate the unpredictable challenges of agriculture.
