Our farmers | South Tyrol

SEASONS

In conversation with Martin Pircher

As farmers, our lives have always been shaped by the changing seasons. We are fortunate in South Tyrol - Südtirol: the geographical position and the Alpine-Mediterranean climate are ideal for growing apples. An average of 300 days and more than 2.000 hours of sunshine per year, cold temperatures at night and mild temperatures during the day are the optimum conditions for producing top-quality Marlene® apples. We farmers work alongside nature.

What does that mean? Let me tell you.

#aboutme

I am originally from Gries, near Bolzano, and together with my wife, our four children and my father I run a small family business. We mainly grow apples. It was always agreed that the farm would be passed on to me. However, I always remember that my land is only on loan. Day after day, I do my best to sustainably cultivate it and to ensure a decent future for the generations to come.

#workinginannualcycles

What I appreciate most about farming is spending a lot of time outdoors and carrying on the work of my father and grandfather. Every year it is a wonderful experience to accompany the apple trees from their winter ‘hibernation’ to the point at which they bear fruit. Activities change based on the season, so I have to pay a lot of attention to different aspects in order to reap the rewards of my work in the autumn.

#alarms #nocturnalfrost

Frost during the flowering period poses a risk to the crop. Fortunately, antifreeze sprinkler irrigation has been used in South Tyrol - Südtirol since the late 1950s. How does it work? If the temperature at night drops below freezing, the frost alarm sounds. I instantly wake up, jump out of bed and go to the apple orchard to turn on the sprinkler system. When the system is activated, the buds are covered with a thin layer of protective ice and the heat released by the freezing water protects them from low temperatures, safeguarding the harvest and securing our earnings. However, pests, whether animal or fungal, are also a threat to the trees.

#integratedproduction

With a little effort I can keep the pests under control and fortunately there are no longer any major crop losses. Nevertheless, prevention is essential, not so much for the final aesthetics of the product, but to guarantee the harvest. I use as few plant protection products as possible. Before using them I always study potential alternatives to protect trees and fruit, for example by using natural antagonists, modern cultivation techniques or ecological methods. My goal is to maintain the natural balance of the orchard so that I can harvest healthy apples.

#airandlight

In June, we prepare to ‘thin out’, i.e. to remove excess apples by hand, the ones that are too small or interfere with each other. This ensures that the fruit remaining on the tree has sufficient nutrition to reach its optimum size. In July, the workload slightly drops, but we farmers always have to keep our eyes open.

#safenet

Hail gave me sleepless nights up until a few decades ago. The financial loss was covered by insurance, but the crop was still lost. Now my apples are safe thanks to the hail nets and I can sleep soundly.

#summerswelter

When it gets really hot, the trees need a lot of water; luckily we have enough on the valley floor. Drought would not be beneficial to the quality, development and colour of the fruit, or indeed to the plant’s growth. During the ripening stage, temperatures above 35 °C are critical: there is a risk of the apple skin drying out in the sun, which has negative consequences in terms of the quality and preservation of the product.

#ripening

Harvest season runs from mid-August to late November. And there’s a lot to do! We don’t get a moment’s rest. One thing is certain: no matter whether an apple ripens in the summer or autumn, to me they are all delicious. There used to be genuine summer apples that everyone already started yearning for in July. However, today we have developed preservation techniques that make this a distant memory and allow us to offer crisp, flavourful apples all year round.

#hotORnot?

During the harvest, mild temperatures during the day and cold temperatures at night are ideal to turn the apples a beautiful shade of red. However, if the temperature drops to -6 °C or even below, the fruit is in real danger of freezing. Thankfully, this is a rare occurrence. After harvesting, however, low temperatures are optimal. It is also preferable that the end of winter is not excessively warm to prevent the trees from flowering too early.

#agoodprune

When the tree loses its leaves and ‘hibernates’, we start the winter pruning process to trim the branches and ensure more light exposure. This ensures optimal development of the apples, both in terms of size and colour. Pruning also allows the wind to enter more easily after a downpour, drying the leaves, and helps to prevent fungal diseases. The pruning period runs until around the end of February, then nature reawakens and the work begins all over again.