As extreme weather patterns continue to disrupt normal growing seasons, growers are investing in frost protection. 

“In recent years, there’s been lots of damage in apples, grapes and blueberries,” says Hugh Fraser, a consultant for Outside-the-Barn Farm Solutions. “There are fixed-in-place wind machines that pull warm air down from above and portable equipment that blows air vertically, or horizontally. It’s an area where growers have lots of questions.”

The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention is hosting a Frost Protection session on February 18 at 2 pm. Robert Evans, now retired from the USDA, will be starting with “Frost Formation, Measurement and Passive Strategies to Avoid Damage.” Next, Michael Wisniewski, USDA, will explain “Using Infrared Thermography to Visualize the Freezing Process and Assess the Performance of Frost Protection Measures.”

Hugh Fraser will speak about airflow machines and heating equipment for frost protection. “This is both science and art,” he says. “It’s important to understand how frost is formed and how well your machines can work. Starting machines too early or running them too long costs money.”

Key words:  frost protection, Hugh Fraser – NEW TECHNOLOGY