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Amalfi Coast, Nature, Pontone, Walking · February 12, 2010

Shhh… the lemons are sleeping

 

As the snow is falling in Rome and much of northern Italy, we woke up to few traces of snow around the garden and white tops on the mountain peaks along the Amalfi Coast. If it had been just a few degrees colder, we would have woken up to discover a winter wonderland outside! 

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Blog sleeping lemons2

 

Last week on a day that it didn’t rain (remarkable!), I went out for a nice walk to enjoy the sun and the blue skies. The ancient stone paths connecting Pontone and Amalfi take you through steeply terraced lemon groves. This time of year you’ll find the lemon trees covered in black mesh covers. I like to think of them as the lemon blankets. It’s as if the lemons have been covered up and are resting during the cold and damp winter months. But one peek underneath and you’ll see that they’re not really sleeping after all. Bright yellow lemons poke out from under the covers here and there, providing a welcome reminder of the warm sun and summer days ahead.

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Blog sleeping lemons1

 

I asked some locals recently about the covers. They are used to protect the leaves and fruit on the tree from the freezing rain that we sometimes get on the Amalfi Coast. But it was also interesting to learn that they are primarily used to protect the roots of the lemon trees. The roots are not very deep, making the trees perfect for growing on the rocky terrain and small terraces on the Amalfi Coast, and they are particularly susceptible to freezing.  So those “blankets” do keep the lemons nice and protected during the winter. Shhh . . . keep on sleeping lemons. The weather this morning was a reminder that it’s not quite time to wake up!

 

Ciao Amalfi Coast Blog sleeping lemons3

Posted In: Amalfi Coast, Nature, Pontone, Walking

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Comments

  1. Anne in Oxfordshire says

    February 12, 2010 at 11:29

    Thanks for the photos Laura…interesting story about the blankets, I suppose they would need protecting, as the roots are very close to the surface.

    It has gone cold here again, -2 last night,not good!

    Reply
  2. LindyLouMac says

    February 12, 2010 at 15:33

    Our lemon tree is all wrapped up for the winter but sadly is not looking very healthy. Lemons look ok at the moment but leaves are looking very sick! We are hoping it will recover as soon as Spring arrives which cannot be too soon.

    Reply
  3. Sara says

    February 12, 2010 at 18:18

    What a lovely walk you have…and you have educated us about the lemons too. Hope warm weather arrives right on time. Is Amalfi where lemoncello comes from?

    Reply
  4. South of Rome says

    February 12, 2010 at 21:08

    Sleeping lemons, I love it! Beautiful pics.

    Reply
  5. Eleonora says

    February 12, 2010 at 23:31

    Lemon shuteye, poetry.
    Sweet post there Lauretta

    When shlould we sit down for a chat?
    Baci
    Ele xx

    Reply
  6. Leanne in Italy says

    February 13, 2010 at 00:01

    It's not just snowing in Rome and the north of Italy. Down here in Calabria (well my village anyway) we are snowed in!

    Reply
  7. Chef Chuck says

    February 14, 2010 at 15:45

    That's what I call living, a stroll through sleeping lemon trees! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  8. Cherrye Moore says

    February 16, 2010 at 15:37

    I see you are getting this wet weather on the coast, too. 🙁 I think our lemons are as anxious as I am to get out … they are getting big!

    Reply

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My name is Laura and the Amalfi Coast is my passion and my home. I’m a writer and photographer who is endlessly inspired by the incredible beauty of the Amalfi Coast. Welcome to Ciao Amalfi!

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