Kentville Research and Development Centre
2022-23 Bud Hardiness Report No. 6 - Nova Scotia
Attached, from Jeff Franklin and Dr. Harrison Wright, is the 6th Nova Scotia bud hardiness report for the 2022-23 year. The Nova Scotia wine grape bud hardiness survey generates a bi-weekly report of the low temperature exotherm (LTE) values over the dormant period (roughly from late October to late April).
Note from the research team: "All varieties in the survey have acclimated slightly compared to our last survey two weeks ago. None of the varieties in the survey have reached their deep-winter hardiness levels at this point and it is unclear if they will acclimate much further before March when de-acclimation typically begins in earnest. While hybrid varieties included in the survey remain hardier than vinifera varieties, as expected, the margin of difference is less this year than in previous years. We are closely watching a weather event forecasted to affect our growing region Friday and Saturday. This event will bring low temperatures on Friday night well into the -20s. There is currently some disagreement on how cold it will get, but given the current levels of bud hardiness in the growing region, we anticipate that there will be some degree of damage, especially to vinifera varieties."