Re: CULT: cold & this n that

Char, I've thought about it.  We don't have an independent water supply
however.  City water for frost protection would be a rather pricey way to
protect the plants, let alone considering the cost of the equipment needed.
The water application rate has to be enough that some liquid water is actively
freezing on the plants until the ambient air temperature is sufficient to have
melted the accumulated ice.  Turning off the system before then works in just
the opposite manner--the evaporative cooling will freeze the plant, dropping
the tissue temperature well below the ambient air temperature.

The result of the method on a non-commercial "crop" results not only is a very
large water bill with no off-setting income, but in a swampy mess as well.

Linda Mann's tobacco-cloth (I forget what it is called) is a simpler and much
less costly solution unless there is wind with the freezing
temperatures--which is normally the case here.  Extra layers of the cloth,
plus adequate anchors that can withstand gusts up to 45 mph. would be
required.

 "Advective" frosts, meaning ones where the cold is due to
freezing-temperature air masses blowing in, are the norm here, whereas in your
area, quiet air and ultra-clear skies with radiation cooling account for most
frosts that damage the fruit.  The overhead watering method is much more
effective in the radiation frosts than it is in the "advective."  Even so,
rather large amounts of water are required, and the grower had better not run
out of water before the ice all melts!

Neil Mogensen   z  7  western NC

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