Kentville Research and Development Centre
2024-25 Bud Hardiness Report No. 3 - Nova Scotia
Attached, from Jeff Franklin and Dr. Harrison Wright, is Nova Scotia bud hardiness report #3 for the 2024-25 year. The Nova Scotia wine grape bud hardiness survey generates occasional reports of the low temperature exotherm (LTE) values over the dormant period (roughly from late October to late April).
Note from the research team: Bud hardiness values since our last survey have showed little change. The variety with the largest survey-to-survey difference is Marquette with a de-acclimation of -0.6 °C, which is likely a reflection of sample variation. Three varieties in the survey have reached deep winter hardiness levels consistent with levels seen in previous winters with similar temperatures. The exception to this is Marquette which in the past has had hardiness values of -30 °C or below. So far, this winter has been colder than average. The mean daily temperature for the period from January 1 to February 6 is -5.24 °C, which is almost 2 °C colder than the 10-year average of -3.43 °C for this same period. The Environment and Climate Change Canada 30-day forecast for Nova Scotia predicts below average temperatures for the remainder of February which may cause further deepening of winter hardiness values.