Icicles in the Vineyard

Isn’t it ironic that the icicles above were caused by a method of frost protection? (Photo by John C. Pina)

One of the newer methods of frost protection involves the use of pulsating misters. This is how the water saving method works: well before the vines reach freezing temperature, the misters are activated coating the vegetation with water. As the temperature drops below freezing, the water starts turning to a “slushy” ice. As long as the misters keep putting out water, the surface of the ice keeps freezing, the ice gets thicker and in this case, longer. Unless the temperatures drop well into the 20’s, the continual buildup of ice keeps the vegetation at, or just below 32 degrees and prevents tissue damage. This type of frost protection is called Ice Encasement.