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rbel[_2_] · 30-01-2014, 09:59 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening

On Thu, 30 Jan 2014 18:20:36 +0000 (GMT),
(Nick Maclaren) wrote:

In article , rbel wrote:

...is it a factor as far as plants are concerned?

My assumption has always been that it is not. The crucial aspect is
ambient temperature. A neighbour was commenting on the fleece bags
protecting our half standard bays and as we are located in a rather
exposed position it cropped up in the conversation.

Actually, it is, but not in the form of wind chill. Strong winds
are often dessicating, especially at high temperatures and below
freezing (seriously). And they also mean that solid objects will
freeze further, so that an overnight frost can be more damaging,
and longer ones can freeze the ground deeper.

I don't bother with fleece-type protection much, as it really helps
only for overnight frosts. For longer ones, plants will get to
ambient, anyway, as you say.

AIUI dessication is primarily due to the wind speed and humidity of
the air passing over the plants surfaces, thus cold damp air will not
dry plants out to the degree that hot dry air will, given that other
conditions are constant.
--
rbel