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Bonn (dpa / lnw) - The cold April weather affects the fields and plantations. "All the vegetables are on later," said Peter Muß from the Provincial Association of Rhenish Fruit and Vegetable Growers in Bonn. Usually, in the last days of April, the harvest of kohlrabi and salads, which grow outdoors under foil, begins. A very small amount of lettuce will probably be harvested by the end of the week, Muß said. But a significant harvest is not expected until May 5th. "We are about ten days later than last year," said the grower. The warmth-loving asparagus does not yield a large harvest because of the cold.
The fruit blossom has begun: cherries, plums and pears are the first to bloom, and the first apple trees are also blooming.
The growers go to great lengths to protect the delicate flowers from frost.
Some farmers even light fires between the trees.
On two icy nights, farmer Jörg Umberg from Bottrop lit frost candles between the rows of his plantation, bathing the plant in a festive light at night.
At the moment, however, it is no longer so cold and the measure is not necessary, he said.
In the previous week, irrigation systems were running in plantations to prevent the flowers from freezing to death.
Other fruit growers start up wind machines that transport warmer air down and protect the flowers.
In orchards without any protection there is probably the first damage.
But that has not yet been dramatic, said Muß.
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North Rhine-Westphalia is the most important German growing area for fruit and vegetables.
The cultivation has a long tradition.
Proximity to consumers is also important.
With an area of 1,800 hectares, it is the fourth largest apple-growing area in Germany.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210420-99-271783 / 2