Spring Frost Protection & Vineyard Best Practices

In our ongoing efforts to promote sustainable best practices, the NVG offers the following recommendations for frost protection. This is not an exhaustive list but highlights key aspects of protecting your crop responsibly and sustainably.

1. Communication & Site Awareness

• Communicate with your neighbors about frost season, including its implications, practices, and duration.
• Understand your vineyard site. Start-up times for frost protection equipment vary based on site conditions. Use weather stations, frost alerts, and remote sensing tools to monitor vineyard temperatures accurately.

2. Passive Frost Control Measures

• Implement passive frost control strategies such as delayed final pruning and strategic vineyard floor management, including mowing and, where permitted, discing.
• Maintain adequate soil moisture, as moist soils absorb and retain heat more effectively, reducing frost risk.

​3. Equipment Calibration & Temperature Monitoring

• Calibrate thermometers using a 32°F ice bath to ensure accuracy.
• Monitor ambient temperature closely and activate frost systems only when necessary to minimize energy consumption (gas, diesel, propane), water use, and noise.
• If temperatures hover above 34°F at daybreak, frost risk is minimal. However, if temperatures drop sharply early in the night, the risk increases.

4. Wind Machine & Sprinkler Management

• Wind machines should be operated at full throttle at 34°F, considering the influence of dew point on vine-perceived temperature.
• For sprinkler systems:
  • Refer to dew point charts before activation.
  • In general, sprinklers should be turned on by 34°F, especially before 5:00 a.m. when the dew point is below 30°F.
  • If ice forms on vines or trellises, do not turn off the sprinkler system until all ice has melted, regardless of ambient temperature.

​5. Noise Considerations & Operational Efficiency

• Be mindful of neighbors when using wind machines. While frost protection is an essential farming practice, being considerate of noise impact strengthens community relations.
• Monitor machine operation hours and adjust based on weather conditions. If a cloud layer forms, temperatures may rise above 32°F, reducing the need for further frost protection.
• Provide adequate staffing to ensure that machines are used efficiently and not activated too early or left running too long.
• For vineyards near residential areas, minimize early starts or late shutdowns when possible.

6. Technological Advancements & Sustainable Innovations

• Consider using remote frost monitoring systems and automated alerts to improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary system operation.
• Explore energy-efficient wind machines and hybrid frost protection strategies to minimize environmental impact.
• Utilize alternative irrigation methods such as under-vine sprinklers to conserve water while protecting vines.
• Integrate vineyard biodiversity practices, such as cover crops, to help with soil insulation and temperature regulation.

Subscribe to the NVG Weather Alert
The Weather Alert is a free service exclusively for NVG Grower and Vineyard Management Company members as a benefit of membership.  The Weather Alert will help growers and vineyard managers in effectively planning for extreme weather events throughout the season including frost protection, irrigation strategies, preventing heat illness and exhaustion during summer season, and management for rain days.