Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
→ Frost-sensitive crops like grapes should not be grown in low areas where cold air is
trapped by natural topography, vegetation, or by manufactured obstacles like fences
that can block the drainage of cold air. Select your site carefully.
→ Plant on south-facing slopes. Always try to plant on a hillside if you can, as it is
the valleys where frost hits the hardest. Hillsides usually have just enough wind to
prevent the frost from settling.
→ Select grape varieties that develop later in the spring, so that the developing buds
aren't damaged by late frosts. Swelling buds are not sensitive to frost, but any ex-
posed green growth can be damaged. Varieties with later bud break will survive
frost, but you must choose varieties that have enough time to ripen in your growing
season.
→ Manage soil and ground cover plantings to maximize the storage and later release
of heat from the soil within and upslope of a crop. These passive management prac-
tices are less expensive than the active frost protection practiced by commercial
vineyards, which may involve sprinkler irrigation and wind machines.
→ To reduce the chances of frost damage, make sure that the ground is firm, moist,
and exposed to sunlight by:
- eliminating or cutting ground cover weeds and planting cover crops
- keeping the top 1 foot of soil moist
- not cultivating until all danger of frost has passed
