Apple orchard frost protection saved 70% of bloom from -11C (12F) Advective Frost, using AntiFrost®, USA, West Virginia mountains, 2025

Overview of Apple orchard frost protection for Pheasant Creek Orchard Cidery

In April 2025, Pheasant Creek Orchard in Western Virginia was hit by a severe late-season Advective frost that plunged to -11°C (12°F) during peak apple bloom. Due to a tractor breakdown, only 60% of the orchard’s trees received a single CropAid AntiFrost® application, applied two days before the frost.

Even so, 70% of the bloom on treated trees survived, while untreated trees and neighbouring orchards suffered near-total losses. The results highlight AntiFrost®’s ability to provide significant frost protection even in extreme cold with minimal application, though CropAid recommends a full preventative program for consistent results.  Apple orchard frost protection from CropAid is highly recommended to avoid catastrophic losses.

Location: Pheasant Creek Orchard, Western Virginia, USA.
Date: April 2025
Product: CropAid AntiFrost®
Crops Treated: Apple Trees (Cider Varieties)
Treatment Area: ~600 out of 1,000 trees
Frost Event: -11°C / 12°F late Advective frost
Application Timing: One application, 2 days before frost
Application Temperature: ~10°C / 50°F
Frost Duration: ~1.5 hours at -7.8°C / 18°F to -11°C / 12°F
Neighbouring Orchards: Lost ~90% of apple bloom

The Challenge

Pheasant Creek Orchard sits at an altitude of 2,500 feet in Western Virginia’s mountains, where frost risk is high during bloom. In early April 2025, frost was forecasted for the region for the 8th of April. Two days before the forecasted frost, on the 6th, Pheasant Creek Orchard decided to apply AntiFrost to their 1,000 apple trees as pre-emptive resistance, given that the maximum effect of a single application of AntiFrost is two days later.

Pheasant Creek use an IPM system that involves minimal inputs and only applying products when deemed absolutely necessary. As a result, they opted to use only one application instead of maximising resistance through a multiple application program.

In addition to only using one application, Pheasant Creek experienced a tractor malfunction which meant that only 600 out of their 1,000 trees were treated!

As night fell, so did the temperature. It dropped to 0°C (32°F) in the early evening and became progressively colder over a period of 6 hours throughout the night, until it reached a lowest point of -11°C (12°F). This extreme cold lasted for about 1.5 hours at temperatures reported -7.8°C / 18°F to -11°C / 12°F until sunrise.

Results

Despite the extreme conditions and minimal preparation, CropAid AntiFrost delivered strong results:

• 70% bloom survival on treated trees

• 100% bloom loss on untreated trees within the same orchard

• Less fruit drop observed on treated trees (one month later)

• Neighbouring apple orchards suffered ~90–100% bloom loss

CropAid AntiFrost delivered significant protection against one of the most damaging frost events the region had seen in recent years.

Figure 1: Pheasant Creek Orchard Photos Post-Frost Treated

Bruce Moats of Pheasant Creek Orchard states that “organic certification is important in cider apples as it allows for a more natural fermentation”.

Our Recommendation: Use the Full AntiFrost Application Program

While this emergency application provided an excellent outcome, CropAid International Limited recommends a proactive application program for AntiFrost to achieve consistent and optimal protection against frost.

The AntiFrost Application Program typically involves:

• Multiple applications spaced 7-10 days apart leading up to the frost-risk period

• A final application 48 hours before a forecasted frost

This structured approach helps the plant build physiological resilience, ensuring more reliable protection and recovery. For detailed instructions, please refer to our AntiFrost® User Instructions or contact our team for bespoke advice. We’re happy to help!

Conclusion

This case study highlights the impressive field performance of CropAid AntiFrost, even under high-stakes and minimal applications. With temperatures as low as -11°C, the treated apple trees at Pheasant Creek Orchard showed strong bloom survival and reduced fruit drop, while surrounding orchards suffered complete losses.

For growers in frost-prone regions—especially those in elevated or variable climates—CropAid AntiFrost has over two decades of research and proven history of protecting crop potential and yield when it matters most.

“We are thrilled with your product and intend to use it next season… We sprayed only 600 apple trees due to a tractor malfunction. On the 8th of April, I experienced a long frost down to -11°C, and 70% of the treated trees’ bloom was saved. On untreated trees, 100% of bloom froze. Also had less fruit drop.”
— Bruce Moats, Orchard Owner, Western Virginia

Don’t wait until the last minute—maximise your crop protection with the full CropAid AntiFrost application program. Designed to build plant resilience in the lead-up to frost events, our program helps ensure consistent protection and better harvest outcomes.

We’re here to help you build a sustainable and cost-effective frost defense strategy that works. Contact us today for apple orchard frost protection to speak with one of our specialists.

Figure 2: Pheasant Creek Apple Cider