Protecting blueberries from late frosts - Farmers have a trick up their sleeves

"As soon as temperatures around zero degrees are forecast, we have to go out at night," reports farmer Voigts from Kremmen in the Oberhavel district. On part of his total 25 hectares of blueberry fields, he uses frost protection irrigation to protect the fruit blossoms from damage. Frost had caused major crop losses for apples in Brandenburg, for example in April 2024. According to the Horticultural Association Berlin-Brandenburg, damages amounted to millions. For farmers with orchards, a sensitive phase is currently underway, and late night frosts can still occur in May. But that is not the only weather risk for fruit farmers. Ice armor to protect blossoms "I really hope that nothing happens," says farmer Voigts. Water pipes for the frost protection irrigation systems run between the blueberry cultures. The bushes are sprayed with water so that an insulating ice armor forms around the blossoms. This creates so-called latent heat of fusion, which protects the blossoms and buds ...