What does seasonality mean?
Each fresh food Has his Time when it is increasingly available, i.e. its season has. This does not only apply to fruit, vegetables or nuts from Regions in Germany, but worldwide. seasonality becomes sustainability trend and seasonal calendars are becoming increasingly popular, as they promise more sustainable nutrition. Seasonal therefore means that the respective varieties are in season in Germany at any given time and, depending on the location, even directly from the region come. The advantage is that Abstain from importing to be able to. Consumers can at least Support Germany as a region.
How do farming methods influence seasonality?
By various Cultivation measures and methods The availability of some plants has changed. Since then, producers, for example, berries and strawberries in Foil tunnels, so-called hiking tunnels, they can harvest them a few weeks earlier and a few weeks longer. As a result, their season is extended and customers can buy the domestic version instead of the imported goods for longer. This strengthens farmers in Germany.
Die foil tunnel have a number of benefits such as shelter against hail. Die surfaces Remain also unsealed and accessible to bees, bumblebees and other pollinating insects. They also provide protection against pests, so less plant protection products must be used. The consumer advice center mentions disadvantages for birds, for example, as they cannot find any food. In addition, the films produced considerable amounts of waste after being used for 7 to 8 years.
Which methods have which advantages?
strawberries But like other types of vegetables, can outdoor crops be grown. This traditionally has the advantage of biodiversity — unless producers use excessive amounts of plant protection products. The growing method is inexpensively, but can susceptible to weather conditions As is well known, prices rise when the harvest is poor.
Storable varieties On the other hand, there are carrots, potatoes, apples, onions and cabbage. As a result, they are virtually available all year round. The warehouses are cooled to slow down the metabolism of plants, which of course costs energy. The energy balance is nevertheless better than that of imported apples, for example.
When it comes to fruit, Orchards rather than plantationsbecause the latter are often monocultures in which pesticides are used. This is prohibited for mixed fruit, which increases biodiversity.
Seasonal fruit and vegetables shorten which Transport routes, because the food then comes from Germany. However, some varieties, such as peppers, are used exclusively in Germany in greenhouses cultivated because they are native to the subtropics — even when their season is in the summer months.
In doing so, you have to choose between heated and unheated Distinguish greenhouses. Heated heating has a high energy consumption, which depends on what is used for heating — with gas, oil or renewable energy. The high energy costs In cultivation, this is often also reflected in the price. The type of exact growing method is However, it is usually not visible to end users.
Greenhouses often have the drawbackthat the area Therefore and below sealed Is what causes Rainwater seeps worse. Die yields On the other hand, are without deviations predictably. Switching to a new farming system can have an impact on prices.
Is seasonal diet better?
Imported goods are not automatically more expensive, which is why the price is not necessarily a reason for consumers to switch to local, seasonal varieties. But rather a Climate-friendly and environmentally friendly food through shorter transport routes. Conscious shopping is important to some, which starts with with the extension and the provenance To deal with groceries. Whether the diet as a result more varied will, is more likely to depend on eating habits overall. Depending on eating habits, it is also not automatically recommended to refrain from eating non-seasonal fruit, vegetables or non-local herbs or nuts.
What else can I pay attention to?
The Seasonal calendar But can a orientation to conscious diet give. that Bio-Siegel Committed to avoiding pesticides when it comes to fruit and vegetables, is therefore also a good clue. that Regional window marks food from the region. There can of course also be differences in regionality and transport routes in border regions.
