In Latvia, agricultural experts are sounding alarm bells regarding the potential impact of harsh winter conditions on the country's fruit and berry gardens. According to Māris Narvils, a senior horticulture specialist from LLKC, heavy snowfall has created a persistent snow cover, varying between 15 to 30 centimeters across all regions. This snow acts as a thermal insulator, allowing the soil to remain unfrozen despite low air temperatures, which could be beneficial in some respects. However, Narvils points out that this situation poses a significant risk to the root systems of biennial and perennial plants which continue to consume assimilated nutrients during winter, a season when such activity is generally not expected.