Tonight again heavy damage early potatoes

During the night of Thursday 14 to Friday 15 May, the temperature dropped to a few degrees below zero. At 6.00 a.m. in the morning it was freezing 1 to 2 degrees in some places in Drenthe and Overijssel. That is the temperature at a height of 1,5 meters; it has been colder on the ground. We were warned in advance of locally even -9. It is not the first time this week that growers have been confronted with severe cold. 

Thursday, at -1, was already the coldest May night in De Bilt in almost 25 years. Last night it became slightly colder in De Bilt, namely -1,2. Despite Ice Saints (11 to 14 May), young crops such as sugar beets and early potatoes already have a quite a hit got. Damage was reported from North Limburg and the east of North Brabant, among others. Last night took that a step further.

Peat and sandy soils
The greatest damage has so far occurred on the peat and sandy soils in the east and southeast of the country, where most early potatoes are grown. For example, photos show that a Zorba plot in Weert (Limburg) and a Première plot in Geesteren (Overijssel) suffered significantly from night frost. Damage is also reported by corn growers, even from Zeeland.

Fewer kilos
The exact extent of the damage remains to be seen. Frost damage can be very local, depending on the soil, soil type and crop stage. Where the potatoes are further along in their development, the damage will be greatest. The potatoes do not necessarily have to be considered lost, but the affected growers will certainly notice it in the kilo yield.