P.E.I. blueberry growers appreciate the heavy snow to protect plants

While some people may not like all the snow P.E.I. has received, it is good news forwild blueberry growers.

John Handrahan,president of the P.E.I. Wild Blueberry Growers Association, was worried earlier in the monthwhen there wasn't much snow to protect blueberry plants from damage.

But the heavy snow is now protecting the plants.

"Wild blueberries take their damage more from drying effects than absolute cold. So having the snow cover over the vines keeps the wind off [and] gives them shelter andinsulation," said Handrahan.

"So when the wind can't get at them to dry them out, the vines come through the winter in much better condition."

• Cold spring not expected to impact blueberries

Handrahan said he hasn't heard of any blueberry plants that have been damaged from the weather so far this winter.

He said once the plants make it through to mid-March, then the risk of winterkill has usually passed.Butif temperatures get too warm in March, there is the risk of spring damage.

Handrahan said that'swhen fruit buds startdeveloping in the warm weather, and then get damaged if the temperature drops.

He added he hopedthere will be snow cover in March, in order to protect the plants.

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