The weather over the last few days has worried all gardening enthusiasts. In many areas, subsequent frost damage can now be expected. Has your wine gotten frosty? Then read on to take the right measures to save the vines.
Photo: Shutterstock / Andrzej Polak
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“April, April, he does what he wants” is a saying that perfectly describes the weather in the first month of spring this year. The long-awaited season has started early and most of the trees and vines have sprouted diligently. Due to the cold snap of the last few days, many of these plants have suffered frost. And now comes the question: how do you care for these plants and can you minimize the consequences of frost damage?
Wine frozen – determine damage
Foto: Shutterstock / lorenza62
If the wine has suffered frost, you immediately worry about the health of the plant. Sometimes frost doesn’t have much of an impact on growth and fruit production, but in other cases it can have quite dire consequences. After a late frost in spring, it is important that you identify any frost damage so that you can then take the appropriate measures. Here are some of the possible damages that often occur.
The young shoots are damaged – grape vines are usually frost hardy, but the freshly sprouted leaves and shoots are still susceptible to frost in spring. If the wine has been exposed to frost, they can wilt, turn black or even die. This significantly affects the growth of the plant. The flowers are destroyed – If frost has affected a flowering vine, the fruit sets can freeze and significantly reduce yields. Cracks and splits in the bark – This happens during very severe frosts. Pathogens can enter the cracks more easily and endanger the health of the vines. In extreme frosts, the root system can also suffer damage, although this is rare. This affects the plant’s ability to absorb water and nutrients. As a rule, the roots are sufficiently protected by the soil.
If one or more of these problems have occurred with your wine, there are some measures you can take to save the harvest and restore the plant’s vitality.
Foto: Shutterstock / Climber 1959
What to do if the vines get frost in the spring?
Wait
First of all, you should have some patience. It is better to wait until the risk of further frost has passed and you can assess the full extent of the damage before taking any pruning measures. It often looks worse at first than it is, and the vines soon grow well again. Adult vines older than 5 years can usually survive some late frost well because they have stored reserves and sleeping eyes. However, the danger is greater with young vines because they do not have enough wood for storage materials.
Take protective measures
Then consider whether protective measures make sense for the coming weeks. This may include covering the vines with fleece or other frost-protecting materials during future cold snaps.
As soon as frost is no longer expected and the plants show new shoots, only cut back the frozen and dead wood. Be sure to cut into the healthy, green tissue as this offers the best chance for healthy regeneration.
Water and fertilize
The plants should be well watered and have sufficient nutrients. Balanced fertilization can help vines recover and encourage new growth. Important: According to the State Training and Research Institute for Viticulture and Fruit Growing (LVWO), nitrogen and foliar fertilization should not be carried out in the vineyard if a low or no yield is to be expected. You can find further tips and measures in this useful checklist for late frost damage in the vineyard.
If your wine has suffered frost, you should monitor your vines throughout the season for signs of disease or pest infestation, which can more easily spread to weakened plants. With careful care and attention, you can help frozen wine recover from frost damage and return to full health over time.