A winter offensive is hitting France and Auvergne. Temperatures are dropping, snow and cold are back, and sometimes frost as well, during the nights. In Allier, farmers are preparing to face it.
In Yzeure, in Allier, just after the transplanting is barely finished, the young plants must now face capricious weather: wind, sudden showers, and a threat of frost. Urgent measures are needed. Fabien Ressot, a production agent and supervisor at the ESAT (Establishment and service for supporting work) in Yzeure, explains: “We planted spinach and covered them with a P17 type veil. This allows us to cover the crop and prevent it from freezing. We can gain 3 to 4 degrees. We put metal hoops under the veil to prevent direct contact with the leaf, as otherwise, with the frost, it will stick to the leaf and the plant will die.”
On two and a half hectares of crops, this ESAT of UNAPEI Pays d’Allier produces organic vegetables sold online or at the Yzeure market. Greenhouses are the only way to ensure year-round production. They are essential but not always sufficient. Here, employees and their supervisor plant Chinese cabbages, white or red. Fabien Ressot continues: “Growing under a greenhouse is less affected than outdoor cultivation. In a greenhouse, we can close the doors, so it’s a real advantage for us. However, if there are severe frosts, if it goes down to -5°C or -6°C, for example on a lettuce crop, we still cover them as a precaution to prevent them from freezing. But at -1°C or -2°C, it won’t freeze in the greenhouse.”
The establishment has about fifteen greenhouses. The only ones completely protected from frost are those equipped with heating. They are reserved for the start of plants, such as lettuce and tomatoes at the moment. Fabien Ressot emphasizes: “You always have to look at the plant’s root. Once it’s good to plant, it will be done next week.”
According to Meteo France, nighttime frost is expected until the end of the week, then temperatures should rise. Currently, they are 3 to 4 degrees below seasonal norms.
Article based on the report by Christian Darneuville and Sébastien Bonnetot / France 3 Auvergne
