Foliar kelp sprays are increasingly discussed as a possible tool for reducing frost injury in vineyards. The attraction is obvious: they are relatively inexpensive, easy to apply, and seaweed extracts contain a complex mixture of compounds that may influence plant water relations, osmotic adjustment, antioxidant activity and stress-response pathways. But there is an important distinction between improving cold hardiness and protecting a vineyard from a severe radiation frost.

Frost damage is a gut-wrenching sight in any vineyard — blackened shoots, wilted leaves, and the sense that weeks of growth have been lost overnight. But vines are resilient, and with careful post-frost management, recovery is possible. 1. Assess the Damage Wait 3–5 days before making major decisions. This gives time for the full extent of damage to appear — some shoots may look burnt but will push new secondary buds. Mark the worst-hit blocks for closer monitoring over the