No more frosted fruits!!!!!

We all know that fruits and vegetables have seasons and so there are sometimes in the year when you cannot get specific produce, even with cold storage extending availability.

One of the reasons for some fruit and vegetables not being available is because they are not grown in winter due to their poor reaction to frost.

Over the years,many frost protection methods have been trialled and few have been successful.

So if a reliable and effective frost protection method could be found, it will change farming in many areas and make specific produce more readily available.

A recent study by Ausveg has shown that a specific type of “fleece” is easy to use and significantly reduces frost impact.

The “fleece” is made from spun bonded polypropylene and holds the heat from the day in and prevents the cold sinking air of the night from affecting the crops beneath. It has been found to be particularly good on young plants

Ausveg spokesperson Dimi Kyriakou said; “Many growers choose not to plant crops that are susceptible to low temperatures during winter. However, the use of frost protection materials such as commercial ‘fleece’ may provide an opportunity for growers to address the demand in the market for cold-sensitive crops during the winter period.”

The research was published in the March/April edition of the Ausveg magazine, Vegetables Australia.