Precipitation reassures French arboriculturists. For the past ten days, the rain has been back in the Tarn-et-Garonne, enough to restore color to their orchards.
Two days before the harvest of the first cherries in Moissac (Tarn-et-Garonne) it’s time for inspection. “So far it looks good”, observes Delphine Périès, arborist. Even if the abundance of rain causes some waste, the 80 mm recently fallen are a godsend. After two springs with almost no harvest, the cherry will be beautiful this year. “We are a little happier. To know that it is not a harvest that we have known in past years either”she adds.
Much better harvests
It will indeed be 30% less than normal. Strawberries, too, benefit from the rain. After two years of frost, drought and the loss of 2,500 tons of plums, Maurice Andral, operator, now knows that his harvest is assured. Last year at the same time, he watered in quantity to try to save what could be saved. From 10 plums per tree, it increases this year to 500.
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