Journal | March 21, 2020
Hardscrabble Journal
Early Magnolia Bloom
There is a small Magnolia tree on the south side of Linden’s old barn. It began blooming yesterday. This Magnolia is one of many indicator plants on the farm. Every year I dutifully record the first bloom of crocus, daffodil, forsythia, henbit, and peach.
I wrote down this year’s date in Linden’s 2020 designated binder notebook. It is the 34th on the bookshelf starting with 1987, our first vintage. Then the date is compared to past vintages. I knew spring was early this year, but was shocked at just how early. The season is now several weeks ahead of normal. I walked directly to a young Chardonnay planting to check the vines. Yikes, buds were visibly swelling.
This is alarming because it means that bud break could occur in early April, well before the average date of April 20. Once the buds break (leaf out), the tender, young shoots could be killed by temperatures below 29˚ F (frost/freeze). These shoots carry the clusters that make the 2020 wine vintage.
It could be a stressful April.
Linden Vineyards / Learn More / Latest at Linden | Journal: March 21, 2020