• If you need help identifying a pepper, disease, or plant issue, please post in Identification.

Does Wind chill affect plants?

Does wind chill affect plants like it does humans? Or is actual air temperature the main factor that affects plants?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Here in N. Florida, it will definitely slam plants.  When a freeze is coming, as we here one is, cover, move into the garage, greenhouse with heaters.  Cold is one thing but the wind if unprotected will such plants dry.  I speak from the humility of experience.
J
 
I imagine it would but the biggest difference I see in my area is that the wind is really dry and my plants don't like it. Luckily the wind in my area is seasonal and its not bad during spring and summer but my winter veggies don't do well in it. I usually put them in the garage during windy days.
 
Here in Michigan at this time of year the air is dry also. I was wondering about putting my OW Tabasco plant outside for some sunshine and fresh air when the air temperature is say mid 40’s and wind chill of say mid to low 30’s. Probably won’t put it out in that low of temp, just wondering.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
The_NorthEast_ChileMan said:
Wow, did you open Pandora's box!> Does wind chill affect plants Good luck finding a consensus to that question!
 

Agree, so many different situations across the globe/country.  Even down-state from me will have different affects.  Not to mention our Brothers and Sisters up north. Come to FL, get away from all that cold stuff.  Conversely, we'll see you in August, and will bring provisions.
 
Plants don't feel wind chill just like they don't feel a nice breeze when it's 95° outside. The factor in both of those is the wind, it's dries out the plant through transpiration. 
 
I didn’t think about the drying out factor. Just like my skin in winter. Yeah


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I helped a friend carry plants from the house to the garage when it was really cold and windy once, it did some wierd stuff to some of the leaves, I think those leaves ended up dying, but the plants did fine. They were only outside for 30 seconds at the most. The leaves aren't going to be able to hold their heat if more wind is blowing across them. I'm not a scientist, but I would say it is definitely a factor.
 
Now that the cold is here , I’ll keep my plant inside. That is until we have the mid-winter warm up then I’ll think about taking it out for some fresh air. [emoji16]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Wind chill, the "feels like" temperature, is a perceived temperature by human bodies caused by air flow. With your plants, go by the actual temperature. If it's 48 but feels like 32, no, your plant will not act as it's 32, but do pay attention for the sake of actual wind, which can also damage plants.
 
The Hot Pepper said:
Wind chill, the "feels like" temperature, is a perceived temperature by human bodies caused by air flow. With your plants, go by the actual temperature. If it's 48 but feels like 32, no, your plant will not act as it's 32, but do pay attention for the sake of actual wind, which can also damage plants.
 
Thanks for the info. Thats the was the main question. The info about the drying effect of cold air is also good stuff that I didnt think about. Thanks to all that replied.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Walchit said:
Im on Willard's team
 
Never-Underestimate-The-Power-Of-Team-WILLARD--99-Cool-Team-Shirt-.jpg
 
Is the plant not utilizing the stored heat in the soil? Wind blowing would definitely have some effect on soil temps in my opinion. Especially in potted plants. On another note, if the air temp is above freezing can a below freezing wind chill actually freeze something?
 
Walchit said:
Is the plant not utilizing the stored heat in the soil? Wind blowing would definitely have some effect on soil temps in my opinion. Especially in potted plants. On another note, if the air temp is above freezing can a below freezing wind chill actually freeze something?
Great question.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I would definitely say that wind chill would affect plants. My science teacher tried to say that it doesn't affect inanimate objects, and my question was how come heatsinks and cooling fans work?
 
Hafners said:
I would definitely say that wind chill would affect plants. My science teacher tried to say that it doesn't affect inanimate objects, and my question was how come heatsinks and cooling fans work?
 
And to that I ask. Why doesn't water freeze when the temp is 38 but the wind chill is 32 or below? This is an interesting conversation but the answer is in science.
 
Back
Top