Fire & Water
How Apple Buds Survive the Cold Frosty Nights
Fire & Water

Fire & Water

How the apple blossoms survive the cold frost nights

How Farmers in Naturns Battle the frosty nights with fire and water. A glimpse into what our local farmers are up to while the rest of us sleep – and what a drunk farmer has to do with it.

Early April, 6:30 a.m.
I step outside with the dog for our morning walk and am instantly struck by the cold. Frost creeps up the blades of grass in the meadow.
Spring frost nights are infamous around here, with temperatures often dropping well below zero during the night. Across the valley, as far as the eye can see, frost protection sprinklers are spinning – a method farmers use to shield their blossoming fruit trees from the bitter cold.
If left unprotected, the delicate blossoms would “burn” – meaning they’d die – resulting in severe damage and major crop losses.

"Without frost irrigation, apple cultivation as we know it here would be almost unimaginable. The risk of frost damage would simply be too great," explains farmer Josef Götsch. And indeed: of the 9,000 hectares of apple orchards in Vinschgau and the Merano area, 5,400 hectares are now equipped with frost sprinkling systems. Many farmers still shudder at the memory of April 21, 2017: for three nights, the frost marched heavily through the land, reaching its peak on the 21st. In areas where frost irrigation wasn't possible, farmers suffered up to 100% crop loss.
With Fire and Water: How Farmers in Naturns Battle the Frosty Nights
When another frost period looms, farmers are already studying weather forecasts and temperature predictions the evening before, allowing them to estimate whether a frost night is approaching. Orchards in low-lying areas – such as those along the Adige River – are more prone to frost than those on the slopes, as even a few meters in elevation can make the crucial difference between freezing and non-freezing temperatures.

A tightly woven network of 119 weather stations provides farmers with real-time data on local temperature, humidity, and wind direction. When temperatures approach critical thresholds (around -5°C during early vegetative growth and 0°C during blossom phase), a frost alarm is triggered – sometimes at midnight, sometimes as early as 4 a.m. In the past, so-called frost wardens would rush from thermometer to thermometer and sound the warning with a long siren blast. These days, farmers still alert one another by phone, but many now rely on automated notifications sent directly to their smartphones, including through various app providers.

As soon as the alarm goes off, farmers leap out of bed and rush to their orchards to activate the frost irrigation. Using tractors or motors, they start the pumps that draw groundwater and spray it evenly over the trees and blossoms using circular sprinkler systems. The water forms a thin layer of ice around the flowers. As it freezes, a physical reaction occurs: the process of crystallization releases heat (known as latent heat of fusion), which paradoxically protects the blossoms from the extreme cold.
Once morning temperatures have stabilized a few degrees above zero, the system is shut off and the water seeps back into the groundwater supply.

A beautiful side effect of frost irrigation: when the morning sun hits the icy coating, the entire valley sparkles and shimmers like something out of a fairy tale.
"Blossoms After a Frosty Night
In areas where frost irrigation isn’t possible, such as on even slightly sloped terrain where water can’t be pumped, farmers turn to “candles” to get their blossoms safely through the frosty night.This method dates back to ancient Rome and was first adopted in South Tyrol mainly in vineyards. Today, it has also proven effective in apple orchards. Small fires, placed at regular intervals between the rows of trees, gently warm the surrounding air by about 2 to 3 degrees Celsius, just enough to make a difference. The smoke created also helps by causing slight air movement and turbulence, which disrupts the settling of cold air.
The Apple Orchards in the Early Morning
South Tyrol was a pioneer in frost irrigation: In 1949, a farmer from Terlano built the first frost irrigation system using old pipes and war materials, which was put into operation in 1950 and later served as a model.

But since we’re in South Tyrol, of course there’s also a legend about how frost irrigation was really invented: One evening, a farmer set out to switch off the irrigation in his orchard but met some friends along the way and was persuaded to have a glass of wine. Naturally, one glass led to another, and soon the entire night was spent celebrating and drinking in the inn. Meanwhile, the temperature dropped sharply, and on his way home, the farmer was shocked to see icicles hanging from his apple trees. It wasn’t until harvest time that he noticed his trees were full of apples, while those of the other farmers were nearly empty. That’s when it occurred to him that it must have been that fateful frost night that made the difference, and so frost irrigation was born.
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Naturns  I  Naturno Naturns I Naturno 19 hours ago
Naturns  I  Naturno

✝️Der Jesus-Besinnungsweg in Naturns – Ein Weg der Ruhe, Stille und inneren Einkehr🌿

Inmitten der Natur, oberhalb von Naturns, lädt der Jesus-Besinnungsweg dazu ein, den Alltag hinter sich zu lassen und innezuhalten.

🕊️ Entlang des Weges begleiten dich insgesamt 15 Stationen, die das Leben und Wirken Jesu aufgreifen – modern gestaltet, zum Nachdenken und Verweilen. Jede Station schenkt neue Perspektiven und lädt ein, den eigenen Lebensweg bewusst zu betrachten.

Die genaue Wegbeschreibung findest du auf unserer Homepage: https://www.merano-suedtirol.it/de/naturns/aktiv-entspannen/wandern-bergsteigen/themenwege/121154131-jesus-besinnungsweg-naturns.html

📸: Tourismusgenossenschaft Naturns_Fotostudio2000

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✝️Il Sentiero Meditativo di Gesù a Naturno – Un cammino di pace, silenzio e raccoglimento interiore🌿

Immerso nella natura, sopra Naturno, il Sentiero Meditativo di Gesù invita a lasciarsi alle spalle la quotidianità e a soffermarsi in un momento di riflessione.

🕊️ Lungo il percorso ti accompagnano 15 stazioni che ripercorrono la vita e l’opera di Gesù – realizzate in chiave moderna, per meditare e sostare. Ogni stazione offre nuove prospettive e invita a guardare consapevolmente al proprio cammino di vita.

La descrizione dettagliata del percorso è disponibile sul nostro sito web:
https://www.merano-suedtirol.it/it/naturno/relax-attivita/camminate-escursioni/itinerari-a-tema/121154131-jesus-besinnungsweg-naturns.html

📸: Cooperativa Turistica di Naturno_Fotostudio2000

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naturns_naturno naturns_naturno Yesterday
naturns_naturno

🌿The irrigation channels around Naturns – Hikes full of history and views!☀️

If you love South Tyrol, you'll truly appreciate the irrgiation channels around Naturns!🥰
These historic irrigation channels lead you through apple orchards, chestnut forests, and alongside gently flowing streams – once built to water the fields, now a paradise for hikers.

👣 Our recommendation:
Whether it's the irrgiation channel of Tschars or the popular irrigation channel of Staben – they all offer easy walking, stunning views over the Vinschgau Valley, and plenty of natural beauty to enjoy.

👉 Have you ever walked along a irrigation channel? Share your favorite one with us in the comments!❤

📸: TV Latsch/Martell_Heidi Inge Hintereck

#naturns #naturno #irrigationchannel #hiking #walking #southtyrol #südtirol #wandern #waalwege #berge #vinschgau #familywalking #naturewalk #altoadige #sentieridellaroggia #escursioni #natura

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Naturns  I  Naturno Naturns I Naturno 4 days ago
Naturns  I  Naturno

𝙐𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙚𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙍𝙚𝙯𝙚𝙥𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙥𝙥:
🍎Südtiroler Apfelstrudel🍎

👩‍🍳 Zubereitung
Teig zubereiten:
Butter, Zucker, Zitronenschale und Vanillezucker cremig rühren. Ei und Milch unterrühren. Mehl, Backpulver, Zimt und Salz hinzufügen. Zu einem glatten Teig verkneten und 30 Minuten kühl stellen.

Füllung vorbereiten:
Äpfel schälen, entkernen und in dünne Scheiben schneiden. Mit Zucker, in Butter angerösteten Semmelbröseln, Rosinen, Pinienkernen, Rum, Vanillezucker und Zitronenschale vermengen.

Strudel formen:
Den Teig rechteckig ausrollen (ca. 40 × 20 cm) und auf ein gefettetes Backblech legen. Die Apfelfüllung in der Mitte verteilen, die Seiten einklappen und den Strudel aufrollen. Mit verquirltem Ei bestreichen.

Backen:
Im vorgeheizten Ofen bei 180 °C etwa 35 Minuten goldbraun backen. Etwas abkühlen lassen und vor dem Servieren mit Puderzucker bestäuben.

📝 Zutaten
Für den Teig:
125 g Butter
125 g Puderzucker oder Kristallzucker
1 Prise abgeriebene Zitronenschale
½ Päckchen Vanillezucker
1 EL Milch
1 Ei
250 g Weizenmehl (Type 405)
1 TL Backpulver
½ TL Zimt
1 Prise Salz

Für die Füllung:
600 g Südtiroler Äpfel (z. B. Golden Delicious)
50 g Zucker
50 g Semmelbrösel, in etwas Butter geröstet
40 g Rosinen
20 g Pinienkerne
2 EL Rum
1 Päckchen Vanillezucker
1 Prise abgeriebene Zitronenschale

Außerdem:
1 Ei (zum Bestreichen)
Puderzucker (zum Bestäuben)
Butter (zum Einfetten des Blechs)

Lasst es euch schmecken!😋

📸: IDM Südtirol_Marion Lafogler

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🍎 Il nostro consiglio culinario di oggi:
Strudel di mele dell'Alto Adige 🍎

👩‍🍳 Preparazione
Preparare l’impasto:
Lavorare il burro, lo zucchero, la scorza di limone e lo zucchero vanigliato fino a ottenere una crema. Aggiungere l’uovo e il latte. Incorporare la farina, il lievito, la cannella e un pizzico di sale. Impastare fino a ottenere un composto liscio e far riposare in frigorifero per 30 minuti.

Preparare il ripieno:
Sbucciare le mele, togliere il torsolo e tagliarle a fettine sottili. Mescolare con zucchero, pangrattato tostato nel burro, uvetta, pinoli, rum, zucchero vanigliato e scorza di limone grattugiata.

Formare lo strudel:
Stendere l’impasto in un rettangolo (ca. 40 × 20 cm) e disporlo su una teglia imburrata. Distribuire il ripieno al centro, ripiegare i lati e arrotolare lo strudel. Spennellare con l’uovo sbattuto.

Cottura:
Cuocere in forno preriscaldato a 180 °C per circa 35 minuti, fino a doratura. Lasciar raffreddare leggermente e spolverare con zucchero a velo prima di servire.

📝 Ingredienti
Per l’impasto:
125 g di burro
125 g di zucchero a velo o zucchero semolato
1 pizzico di scorza di limone grattugiata
½ bustina di zucchero vanigliato
1 cucchiaio di latte
1 uovo
250 g di farina di frumento (tipo 00)
1 cucchiaino di lievito in polvere
½ cucchiaino di cannella in polvere
1 pizzico di sale

Per il ripieno:
600 g di mele altoatesine (es. Golden Delicious)
50 g di zucchero
50 g di pangrattato, tostato in un po’ di burro
40 g di uvetta
20 g di pinoli
2 cucchiai di rum
1 bustina di zucchero vanigliato
1 pizzico di scorza di limone grattugiata

Inoltre:
1 uovo (per spennellare)
Zucchero a velo (per spolverare)
Burro (per imburrare la teglia)

Buon appetito! 😋

📸: IDM Südtirol_Marion Lafogler

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naturns_naturno naturns_naturno 6 days ago
naturns_naturno

💦How about a Saturday at the Erlebnistherme Naturns?🧖‍♀️

Whether you want to relax in the sauna, splash around with the kids, or simply unwind – the Erlebnistherme Naturns has something for everyone! ☀️🌿

🏊‍♂️ Indoor & outdoor pools
🧒 Kids' area with slides & water fun
🔥 Saunaarea
🛋️ Relaxation zones with mountain views

Perfect for a mini getaway – right on your doorstep! 😍
ℹ️ Info & opening hours:https://www.merano-suedtirol.it/en/adventure-thermal-bath-naturns.html

#naturns #naturno #erlebnistherme #sommer #schwimmen #familienspaß #sauna #southtyrol #piscina #nuotare

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Naturns  I  Naturno Naturns I Naturno 6 days ago
Naturns  I  Naturno

👉Naturparkhaus Texelgruppe - Sommerprogramm für Kinder im Juli und August!❤

📞Anmeldung im Tourismusbüro Naturns (+39 0473 666077 I info@naturns.it) oder direkt im Naturparkhaus Texelgruppe (+39 0473 668201 I info.tg@provinz.bz.it)

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👉 Centro Visite del Parco Naturale Gruppo di Tessa – Programma estivo per bambini a luglio e agosto!❤

📞Iscrizione presso l’Ufficio Turistico di Naturno (+39 0473 666077 | info@naturns.it) oppure direttamente al Centro Visite del Parco Naturale Gruppo di Tessa (+39 0473 668201 | info.tg@provinz.bz.it)

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