Farmers fear for their crops, with an episode of frost expected this weekend. Météo-France has issued a snow and ice alert for 22 departments. The sharp drop in temperatures expected, especially overnight from Saturday to Sunday, could do damage to young shoots, so professionals are organizing to protect their fields.
Sprinkler system, candles, open air burning… the professionals are getting ready
In the Dordogne, the prefecture has exceptionally authorized anti-frost burning operations to protect the vines and fruit trees. In practice, farmers can burning plants in the open air to heat the air, but under conditions, such as respecting a safety distance of 200 meters from the edge of a grove or a wood.
Another technique used by Périgord winegrowers is to install antifreeze towerslike Eric Chadourne, who equipped himself after the frost episode of 2021. These sorts of small wind turbines make it possible to stir cold air and hot air to maintain an ambient temperature at 0° and prevent the buds from freezing. .
In Touraine, some professionals have even bought a tower together, and install it at strategic points so that it affects several plots. Because the tool can cost up to 45,000 euros.
– Solene Gardre
In Mayenne, an arborist chose the candles in paraffin to protect his apple trees. Frédéric Fourmond has installed 300 of them, which he will light if the mercury drops below 0° this weekend. A system that allows him to preserve around thirty tons of fruit per hectare, but nevertheless expensive: “I spend nearly 2,500 euros for this plot because the candle is worth eight euros”, explains the arborist.
On Franceinfo, Laurent Rougerie, arborist and president of the AOP “Pomme du Limousin” sector, explained that he was “very worried” for the next two nights. “Our critical threshold is between -3 and -4 degrees”, he explains. He specifies that for the “Pomme du Limousin” sector, only “10 to 15%” surfaces are protected from frost. He notably chose the sprinkler system : spraying water on the trees to surround them with ice, like a cocoon, and protect the flowers. “As if you were sheltered under an igloo” explains the professional.
In the Tarn-et-Garonne, France’s leading apple-producing department, all these techniques will be used by arboriculturists. Some expect to spend short nights consulting regularly their smartphones to monitor temperatures. But many have anticipated like, Jérôme Capel, in Quercy: “it takes almost a week of preparation, you have to do engine maintenance, oil changes, do tests on the water pumps“.
– Pascale Daniel
But it’s not just winegrowers and arboriculturists who are worried: market gardeners in Creuse are also taking the lead, since temperatures could drop to -7 or -8 degrees. Kylian Fontanel, located near La Souterraine, will for example veil his vegetables: beets, spinach, young carrots, radishes or even salads. This allows to gain up to 4 degrees more. “Flat, on the carrots, with their foliage, they will promote a micro-climate, and the veil will turn into an ice cap. When you remove the veil, it is almost hot underneath” he explains.