Is it possible to use 1 mil.translucent
polyethylene sheeting to protect plants from
frost or freeze in early spring?

This year my backyard vineyard took a big hit
during Easter Week. We had about 4 days of temps
down to 28 degrees.

My vines were just getting ready for bud break.
The freezes killed 95% of my fruiting buds on
last years shoots (pruned to spurs). I have a
lot of canopy this year but it is from buds on
"Old" wood - wood older that last years growth
and these shoots do not produce grapes.

I was thinking that next year I might try using
the sheeting over the pruned vines if there is a
threat of a freeze in early to mid April.

Any ideas whether this would work?

I have a U.S. Plastics catalog and they sell 1 mil
sheeting (9' x 400') rolls for $37.91 and 12' x
400' rolls for $50.79. They also carry the
sheeting in 2 mil, 4 mil and 6 mil thicknesses
for higher price.

If this would work, it would be worth the money to
me. I still have to maintain and spray the
vineyard this year even though I will not be
harvesting fruit. What few bunches I have, I
will donate to the birds and not even put up
netting this year.

In article ,
"Paul E. Lehmann" wrote:

Is it possible to use 1 mil.translucent
polyethylene sheeting to protect plants from
frost or freeze in early spring?

This year my backyard vineyard took a big hit
during Easter Week. We had about 4 days of temps
down to 28 degrees.

My vines were just getting ready for bud break.
The freezes killed 95% of my fruiting buds on
last years shoots (pruned to spurs). I have a
lot of canopy this year but it is from buds on
"Old" wood - wood older that last years growth
and these shoots do not produce grapes.

I was thinking that next year I might try using
the sheeting over the pruned vines if there is a
threat of a freeze in early to mid April.

Any ideas whether this would work?

I have a U.S. Plastics catalog and they sell 1 mil
sheeting (9' x 400') rolls for $37.91 and 12' x
400' rolls for $50.79. They also carry the
sheeting in 2 mil, 4 mil and 6 mil thicknesses
for higher price.

If this would work, it would be worth the money to
me. I still have to maintain and spray the
vineyard this year even though I will not be
harvesting fruit. What few bunches I have, I
will donate to the birds and not even put up
netting this year.

Look into Remay or Reemay.. Plastic will break down in a year or two.
Remay may cost more but it will last longer.

http://www.southernexposure.com/prod...ods/81617.html

Bill who used to cover tender plants with this stuff.

--

S Jersey USA Zone 5 Shade
http://www.ocutech.com/ High tech Vison aid
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William Wagner wrote:
netting this year.

Look into Remay or Reemay.. Plastic will break down in a year or two.
Remay may cost more but it will last longer.

http://www.southernexposure.com/prod...ods/81617.html

Bill who used to cover tender plants with this stuff.

Reemay is spunbonded polyester - still plastic. I cannot address this
end use but 1 mil polyethylene is awfully thin and polyethylene has poor
stability to sunlight.

Is it possible to use 1 mil.translucent
polyethylene sheeting to protect plants from
frost or freeze in early spring?

Plastic isn't a good choice -- it may actually increase
frost damage. You might look at something like row cover --
here's a couple of sources I've found reliable:

http://www.groworganic.com/maincat/n/0067.html
http://superseeds.com/products.php?cat=19

You want the cover to completely extend to the ground.

Kay