Garda Lemon Grower Faces Decline as Youths Avoid Citrus Cultivation

One of the last lemon growers of Garda lives in Gargnano, and naturally on Via Limonaie. Lorenzo Trevisani, 70 years old, has spent his life among citrus fruits. But now, his “gardens” are no longer what they used to be. Of the 240 plants he cared for with his father, only eleven remain: “I keep them for passion; I grew up among these trees.” But how was it in the past? “We used to harvest around 500,000 fruits a year; now we only reach five thousand. They sold well because they are very rich in citric acid, which helps them last longer compared to those produced elsewhere. If harvested properly, they can last up to four months. However, after World War II, the citrus from the South arrived, and competition caused sales to decline, making it increasingly expensive to maintain the plantations.”

Challenges and Motivations

But the disappearance of the lemon groves is not only a matter of high costs. “The problem is that there are no more young people willing to do this work. I don’t understand—here, the air is clean, you are independent, and work is plentiful.” All true, but no young person steps forward. Perhaps producing lemons on Garda is hard and demanding work. And Trevisani knows this all too well: “Lemon groves require work all year round. In September, there’s pruning; in October, covering with boards and glass. In winter, fires are lit because if the plant is wet, it will freeze. In March, you need to uncover the structure, and by April, be ready for flowering; if the soil is dry, you must water immediately. In late May, the harvest begins, and it continues throughout the summer.”

Seasonal Activities and Difficulties

And holidays? Not even to be discussed: in August, pests arrive, and white oil must be sprayed on the plants.”