ciao, I wondered if anyone has sprayed water, use springklers etc before early dawn to prevent damages from frost on their figs trees?? I know some areas of northeast will be experience frost again in the early part next week in the early morning before day temps rise into 60's and 70's the same day and many have their trees outside in very full very much heavy growth as I do,, and was wondering if it works or who has tried with/without success. ciaociao!

I have used this technique effectively on tomato and pepper plants. It should work on figs as Long as it isn't cold enough for the water droplets to refreeze.

Some citrus growers do it, someone was doing it last year on this forum last year.  I am hoping that the forecast is wrong even the in ground trees have leafed out here.

I have heard the rinse the frost off before the sun hits it and it may work to some degree.   Our blueberries bloom here in Florida in February and spring killing frosts during flowering is common.  What we do is run sprinklers on them which will keep the plants at 32 degrees even in 24 degree temps.  The plants get covered in ice and some people say the ice insulates the plant which is not the case.  Ice is actually a very good thermal conductor.  What you want to do is keep the leaves that are covered in ice constantly covered with liquid water.  It is all physics and the effect is called the "heat of fusion".  What happens is when water changes from one state (water) to another state of matter (ice) heat is released and it is that heat that protects the plants.  Wind lessens the effect so if it is windy you can't protect them to as cold a temp.  You basically want water hitting the plants every 30 seconds or so.  I use two impact sprinklers per bed rotating 360 degrees to protect my 200 or so blueberry plants.....works like a charm.

I have done this to my garden plants with success.

I think it's important to note WillsC's post.  Here in Florida, to protect citrus and other crops during a freeze, they do run sprinklers, but they run them continuously during the cold period.  Because the water is above 32*F (or it would be ice!) it keeps the plants above 32*F.  If you stop watering and the temps are below 32*, the water will just freeze on the plants.

I've heard that having the soil moist instead of dry around a tree helps protect against freeze damage.

And you must run the sprinklers until the ice has melted irregardless if the air temp is warmer than freezing. Microspsrinklers are best for this type of work as they can keep a steady supply of water going on the protected plant. 2000 gallons per acre per hour is about the minimum requirement. I think that is a rate of about 1/4" inch per hour.

Chapman you are right as moist soil will hold more heat than dry soil.

If it's a light frost, will it really do much damage?  My figs, due to the cool spring, are just beginning to leaf out.  I seem to remember that Herman posted a picture last year where an unfurling leaf was burned but didn't seem to affect the rest of the plant.  As for potted figs, I'm thinking of placing them in a little portable coldframe to keep the frost off them.