Last week we experienced a Lokkelebery Winter Wonderland as temperatures plummeted and snow covered the vines. Our data sensors picked up temperatures as low as -12.8c during the first major cold snap of the winter.
But what about the vines? Do they feel the chill? At this time of year, a little cold does not do the vines any harm. Much like animals may hibernate, the vines do the same, shedding their leaves and closing down for the winter. As soon as the cold snap hits and the vines shut down, we can start thinking about pruning, as the cutting will not wound the vine in the same way as if we cut it in the middle of summer when it is in full growth mode. However, we have to be patient when it comes to timing. While the winter cold snap leaves the vines unscathed, a spring cold snap, such as a frost, can wipe out an entire fruit crop over night. After ‘bud burst’, which happens around April/May time, if cold frosty air sits around the young buds, they burn and will not produce fruit that year. In some cases, a frost can damage secondary buds too, meaning that next years crop may also be affected.
While there are many active ways to prevent frosts affecting your vines, (frost fans, electric wires, candles, to name but a few), there are also methods titled ‘passive frost protection‘ which operate to reduce the risk of frost damage in the first place. One method of passive frost protection is late pruning and this is something we are exploring. While we are operating on a low frost site, as farmers we have long been wary of the increasingly extreme weather. With this in mind, it is likely that despite the vines already shutting down for winter, we will not prune them until into the New Year as a precautionary anti-frost measure.
As Christmas approaches we look back on 2023 with great pride at our newly planted vines, but also gratitude to all those who continue to support us. We look forward to sharing more about exciting news and events in 2023. From the farmers at Lokkelebery Vineyard, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
