Bud break!

We've had the most incredible spell of weather for days now. No rain, plenty of sunshine, warm temperatures and little breeze. Today was T-shirt weather, so I went up to the vineyard to check the status of the vines. Lo and behold we have bud break also known as bud burst on all the varietals. It's at an early stage but clearly visible. It's about a week earlier than the previous two years. 

As long as we survive the next little while without frost, the next big event will be flowering.

Even the new Rondos planted this year have buds.

A cherry tree is preparing to bloom. 

Progress in the vineyard

Getting close to bud break on all vines. Last year it happened on March 28. One Albarino moved to the polytunnel has also reached the same state. 

Solaris

Rondo

Pinot

New Rondo

Chardonnay

No development in the vineyard

It's been so warm and sunny the last three days that I was worried that the grapevines would start bud development. They have not, thank goodness. The vines in the polytunnel are very much a work in progress. The little Ross house vine has a leaf forming and the other vine is contemplating bud break. As it is to turn cold tomorrow, I hope the survive okay. 

Ross House vine, probably Black Hamburg

Vanessa bud

A pear bud bursting

Bud break today!

Rondo

It was a beautiful day in Mayo, sunny and calm. I had a hunch bud break (or bud burst) would happen in the sunshine today. Four out of 5 varieties did, more than a week earlier than the past two years. The only vines not showing any signs of waking up are the Albarino. They don't look very happy but it doesn't look like any more have died. Let's hope we don't get frost -- let the cycle begin. 

Solaris

Chardonnay

Pinot Noir

Albarino

 

Bud burst getting close

It's going to happen in the next couple of days, if it hasn't already started. And that's weird because we've had miserable cold and wet weather, certainly not conducive to bud break. 

 

Sunny warm day

The pear and cherry trees are blooming weeks earlier than normal in Holland. I already wrote about the cherry blossoms peaking in Japan and Washington DC weeks earlier than expected. 

France has experienced one of the mildest winters on record and that has vignerons worried. Some vineyards in France are preparing for frost, as the early budding may mean a prolonged risk of exposure of tender buds to frost damage. 

I think our bud break will be about two weeks earlier this year than last. Today in the vineyard...

A little progress

 

Solaris is farthest ahead

I'm visiting the vineyard routinely now as the buds are starting to swell. Yesterday, St Patrick's Day, was warm and sunny but there was standing water throughout the vineyard and it's raining again today. Last year, bud break was recorded on 10 April. The year before, it took place on the 7th of April. Given that February was the warmest on record and the ninth consecutive warmest month globally, I'd say that bud break will come early this year. Let's hope we don't get a late frost and spring storm. 

In the climate statement issued by Met Eireann, they noted that the winter of 2023/2024 was the eleventh consecutive season with above-average temperatures. December and February were mild and wet while January was cool and dry overall.  

Global Mean Temperature Anomaly 

In France, vignerons are bracing for frost in April after a particularly mild winter. UK grape growers will soon have access to an app that will warn them of impending frost. Climate change is leading to buds bursting earlier, leaving them vulnerable to subsequent bouts of frost.

Cherry blossoms are blooming early from Tokyo to Washington, DC as climate change makes winters and springs warmer. It's wreaking havoc on the tourism industry drawn to the cherry blossom spectacle. The National Park Service announced PEAK BLOOM on Sunday, St Patrick's Day, a near record. But this is the fastest that the blossoms have gone through the five stages of the bloom cycle, and a warming climate has been a factor. Let's hope that the bloom cycle of our grapes is not similarly affected. 

Chardonnay is looking good. 

Pinot Noir coming along

Albarino is the last one in line

Rondo is slow getting started this year. 

The fields are very wet. 

Global SSTs are heading off the charts

The North Atlantic is staying particularly warm.

Buds are growing

It was another beautiful day and I spent some time transplanting seedlings and preparing trays for more seeds to be started. 

I then took a walk to the shed and across to the vineyard where I hadn't been for a couple of weeks. The earth is quite squidgy but Alex has put down seaweed as fertilizer. I pulled grass and weeds and rushes from the vines. Behold, the grapevines' buds are swelling already. I read today that the cherry blossoms in Japan are blooming a full month earlier than normal due to a warm spell. I wonder if we will notice a difference with bud break?

Rondo

Solaris

Chardonnay

Pinot Noir

Young Solaris

Squidgy earth, but the grass needs cutting already.

Seaweed at the base of the vines. 

Croagh Patrick imposing as always.

My Irish gate. 

Warning!

Apple tree bud break.