Spring has come early, and despite temperatures being only slightly above the norm for the season, it is the sun that is making vegetation develop early. But producers fear frost could occur up to mid-May ( it snowed last year at the end of March).

Alain Canet, Director of the association, Arbres et Paysages, says that ''the main risk is frost. This would cause crop losses and lead to production issues''. Farmers will lose produce and consumers will see fruit and vegetable prices rise.

''We have to hurry up to plant trees, because with the rainy periods we weren't ahead of ourselves. We now risk running late. For peach trees, these conditions could be a big problem. Also, the ground has been washed out, like last year. Strong rain has eroded it, it is less rich and has become more sensitive. We already have drought problems. Crusts have formed on the ground stopping plants growing properly. We have gone from a very, very humid system to a dry one. Those who planted vegetation cover have less problems. This regulates the excess. We have gone from a lake to a desert, we need to plant to regulate. We didn't invent ecosystems'!' continues Mr Canet.

However gardeners and horticulturists are delighted by the weather, ''it is planting season, so we have a lot of customers'' the Jardinerie Embaloge in Mirande tells us, ''last year our profession was affected because people couldn't plant, it rained for six months.''

Meteo France reports that the average maximum temperatures for March in Auch (S.W. France) are 15.1°C, i.e. about the same as the temperatures at the moment. It should be dry until the end of March.

Source - http://www.freshplaza.com/