Early potatoes get hit by night frost

The temperature in the Netherlands, and beyond, fell below freezing until Sunday, April 14. It was more than 2 degrees, especially in the east of the country. Judging from messages and photos on Twitter, the newly sown sugar beets did not experience much inconvenience. They are either just in the ground or have already grown past the most critical stage.

Fruit growers on edge
Fruit growers have literally had sleepless nights. They worked en masse to protect the blossoms of apples, pears and cherries. By acting appropriately, this went well, with little to no damage as a result.

The potato growers tried to plant early this spring. Thanks to some beautiful days in February, this was achieved in many places. The insiders who Boerenbusiness indicated that there is no frost damage. The potatoes are just coming through on most plots.

Damage in Zeeland?
On the island of Tholen, the cradle of the early potatoes, the crops were already further up. "A lot was planted at the end of February. I spoke to several growers in Tholen, but no one talks about frost damage in the plots that are covered," says auction director David Hage of Alvantho potato auction. "I hear about damage from night frost on crops that are not covered. We have gotten through the eye of the needle, it seems, because the plots were white from the frost. The danger now seems to have passed."

The poor growing conditions have more effect on the development of the crop, Hage thinks. Due to the lower temperatures and a chilly easterly wind, the potato plants are developing slowly. With warmer weather in prospect, this is expected to change soon. He does not want to speak of a situation that is too dry. The irrigation reels are not yet in the country, because after the heavy rainfall in March there is still sufficient moisture available.

Frost damage in Germany
It also froze a few degrees in Germany. The potato plots in the primeur area Palatinate have suffered frost damage here and there. This applies to unhedged and hedged plots. The region is known with the risk of frost. The crops are therefore irrigated as much as possible to protect them (just like fruit blossoms). Frozen plants are damaged, which inhibits growth. It's not disastrous, but it does take away some of the lead.

Further in the south of Germany it even snowed. Given the weather forecast, temperatures are now moving in the right direction, definitively turning our backs on winter weather. Potato plants where only leaves have frozen off generally recover quickly. If the stem is also broken, it will take more time and energy. A lead is then definitively gone.

France
In Northern France, the mercury even dropped to 14 degrees below 9 on April 0. The temperature was reached in various places in the Champagne region. In addition to wine growers, this will mainly hit sugar beets and rapeseed. As far as we know, the potatoes are not affected. Table potatoes are mainly grown in this area.