US: Early grape budding threatens 2012 crop if frost returns
US: Early grape budding threatens 2012 crop if frost returns
Apr 2, 2012 6
(GrandForksHerald) - The record-shredding warm weather in North Dakota could be trouble for grape growers in the state this year, officials said.
Lorna Bradbury, a horticulture specialist with North Dakota State University’s Williston Research Extension Center, said grape production could suffer in 2012 if early-budding vines start to leaf out and are hit with a killing frost.
“This is really early,” Bradbury said of the warm weather. “Lots of times, grapes will start breaking bud in mid-April, and you hope you don’t get that late spring frost.” Oftentimes, a spring frost isn’t that bad, or the plants aren’t susceptible, if it’s been a cold spring and the vines haven’t broken dormancy. But if the leaves are out, then it’s trouble.
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