Frost protection from wind machines

When a risk of frost exists, wind machines can protect sensitive perennial crops such as grapevines and tree fruits by pulling the warm air down from high above a vineyard or orchard down near the crop.

Use the best local weather forecasts available and monitor air temperatures at crop level and wind speeds on your farm, in real-time, so you are only operating your wind machine when it is necessary and effective.

Set the wind machine to start at air temperatures as close as practical to expected critical air temperatures; for a spring frost, that would be 2° to 3° C.

Operating a wind machine on some critical nights could mean the difference between having a crop, or not having a crop, so equipment such as this is becoming an integral tool for successful grape and tree fruit production.

For more information on wind machines, there is a new technical video on wind machines at OMAFRA Horticulture Videos.

A more in depth factsheet entitled "Wind Machines for Minimizing Cold Injury to Horticultural Crops" is available on the OMAFRA website. You can also give us a call at 1-888-424-1300.


For more information:
Toll Free: 1-877-424-1300
E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca