Kentville Research and Development Centre
2025-26 Bud Hardiness Report No. 5 - Nova Scotia
Attached, from Jeff Franklin and Dr. Harrison Wright, is Nova Scotia bud hardiness report #5, the final report for the 2025-26 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: The overall trend is like what we have seen in previous years of the survey with rapid deacclimation of the cold hardy varieties, L’Acadie and Marquette, and a more modest deacclimation for Chardonnay and New York Muscat. The LTE50 value for all varieties is approximately -20 °C, which is 1 to 2 °C less hardy than the historical average value for this time of year, but consistent with the last two years of the bud hardiness survey. Overall, we have enjoyed a wonderfully comfortable margin of safety between observed temperatures and hardiness levels for the entire winter.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the cooperating growers as this survey would not be possible without their support and patience. I would also like to express my appreciation for the Nova Scotia grape growing industry, as your questions, and comments, have helped give our program direction and guidance.