Australian vegies could be feeling cosier this winter

Australian vegetable growers could be wrapping up their precious produce this winter, with research showing commercial frost cloths, known as ‘fleece’, are an effective weapon against frost and low temperatures.

The study, conducted by Applied Horticultural Research, aimed to investigate ways for vegetable growers in Victoria, NSW and Queensland to protect their crops against extreme weather events without using full protective structures.

The fleece, which is made of spun bonded polypropylene, acts like a blanket over the crop, trapping the warmth from the soil, increasing humidity and deflecting sinking columns of cold air.

AUSVEG spokesperson Dimi Kyriakou said frost damage is a severe issue for many vegetable growers as low temperatures can severely impact the growth of winter vegetable crops, reducing the overall quality and yield of the end product while also prolonging the time to harvest.

“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,” said Kyriakou, who added that the fleece can help young plants establish more quickly by protecting them from wind damage as well as insect contaminants during the coldest months of the year.

The researchers suggest the fleece material could be particularly useful for low-growing leafy crops, which are the most susceptible to frost and low temperature damage.

“Growers are always looking for ways to produce vegetable crops more productively and cost-effectively. As demonstrated in Europe, these commercial frost cloths are becoming more affordable and easy to apply, while also shortening the overall growth period and time to harvest,” said Kyriakou.

Originally published here.