Ciao! I'm Laura.
  • Journal
  • About
  • Writing
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Journal
  • Books
  • Podcast
  • About
    • Writing
  • Contact

Ciao Amalfi

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

You’ll Also Love

Tempting Tuesday: Think Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
“Creepy Italian Trees”
The two-headed cat . . .

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

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

The two-headed cat . . .

Trending Now

  • ciao-amalfi-winter-things-to-do Visiting the Amalfi Coast in the Winter – 5 Things You Need to Know
  • Amalfi Coast Beaches Colourful Sun Umbrellas at the Marina Grande Beach in Amalfi - Horizontal A Guide to the Beaches of Amalfi
  • Amalfi Coast Webcams New Live Streaming Webcams of Amalfi!
  • Amalfi Coast Travel Positano Beach Spiagga Grande A Guide to the Beaches of Positano

Ciao!

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!

Ciao Amalfi

  • Journal
  • Moon Amalfi Coast
  • Newsletter
  • Contact

Amalfi Coast

  • Amalfi
  • Positano
  • Ravello
  • Amalfi Coast

Explore

  • Travel
  • History & Culture
  • Food & Drink
  • Shopping

Laura Thayer

  • About
  • Writing
  • Book Reviews
  • Work with Me

Latest on Instagram

The blue hour in Amalfi this evening. 💙 The blue hour in Amalfi this evening. 💙
Today is an unspeakably sad day for the Amalfi Coa Today is an unspeakably sad day for the Amalfi Coast after the tragic bus accident this morning in Ravello where Nicola Fusco, a young bus driver only 29 years old, lost his life. Investigations are currently underway to determine the cause and I won’t share the upsetting details. The road to Ravello is currently closed and it’s not clear when it will reopen. Nicola was a kind, talented, and experienced driver—the third generation of drivers in his family—a family very close to ours. My husband has been a guide with all three generations and watched Nicola grow up. This is something that shouldn’t happen, shouldn’t ever happen, but it’s something we all fear here. Our hearts are with the Fusco family and to everyone who Nicola’s life touched. 🖤
It sounds like New Year’s Eve outside with firew It sounds like New Year’s Eve outside with fireworks and celebrations for the Naples soccer team wining the championship for the first time in 33 years. To say this is a big deal for the fans doesn’t even begin to describe it. I’ve been watching videos from Amalfi, Sorrento, Ischia and all around Campania. Here was a quiet moment in Atrani before the celebrations began. ⚽️
Requisite Vespa shot with a twist. Let the 6-month Requisite Vespa shot with a twist. Let the 6-month check-ups begin! 🏥

#breastcancersurvivor #breastcancer #tumorealseno
Finally a break in the rain today in Amalfi! Time Finally a break in the rain today in Amalfi! Time to stop and admire the rain puddles.
From my tiny home in the middle of Amalfi, you can From my tiny home in the middle of Amalfi, you can’t see the sea. Growing up in the Midwest and Florida and then spending 12 years with a sweeping view of the sea here from Scala, I’ve long been accustomed to watching the weather. A storm coming feels like danger while a storm passing by out at sea is exhilarating - close enough to capture the energy but not to cause harm. 

Since we moved down the mountain to Amalfi, the main thing I’ve missed is being able to watch the weather. When the weather turns stormy it’s a gamble on whether a break in the rain will last a few moments or long enough to take my favorite walk along the port, out and back each of the piers. While I don’t mind a walk in the rain, if the wind is blowing too strong for an umbrella, timing the break in the rain becomes more essential. 

This morning I woke early to rain pouring down, but before long there was a break. Would it be long enough? I checked the weather app on my phone to see the temperature and forecast. But, like water to a cormorant, I’ve always been a little bit impervious to numbers. Given the chance, my favorite forecast is by stepping outside. I opened the door and stuck my head out. Far above the seagulls were swirling around, their calls a reminder of just how close the sea is even when I can’t see it. As they taunted and laughed at the weather high above, it seemed like a break I could trust.

I slipped on my shoes and jacket and headed out for a pre-breakfast walk. I didn’t make it all the way to the end of the port before sprinkles arrived, but ducking through the arched passageways and side streets I made it home just before the gulls were hushed and the rain came down again.
This morning while watching the swallows swoop and This morning while watching the swallows swoop and swirl over the sea, I looked up and caught this moment of dark and light. It made me laugh since I had just been thinking about how each day we have a choice how we go into the day. Which side are you on?
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Disclosure

Copyright © 2023 Ciao Amalfi · Theme by 17th Avenue