Fruit growers brace for frost as early blooming raises risk of damage

As a cold front approaches, bringing temperatures as low as minus five degrees Celsius, Czech fruit growers are becoming increasingly concerned about frost damage. Martin Ludvík, head of the Czech Fruit Growers' Union, told Czech Radio that the real nervous period is only beginning and will last until mid-May. While spring frosts are historically common, the problem now is much warmer winters causing trees to bloom up to three weeks earlier. Apricot trees, which are already flowering, are particularly at risk this weekend. Protective measures exist but are costly, forcing growers to make tough economic decisions.