Fanning Season – How Wind Machines Help Protect Our Blossoms

Springtime at Draper Girls Country Farm is one of the most magical seasons—blossoms begin to pop, the orchard buzzes with new life, and the farm slowly wakes up from its winter rest. But behind the scenes, spring also brings one of the most critical challenges in fruit farming: protecting the delicate buds and blossoms from frost damage.

That’s where those “crazy fan-looking things” in the orchard come into play.

These are wind machines, and they’re a key part of what we call fanning season—a short but vital window where a few degrees can mean the difference between a strong crop or a damaged one.

How Do Wind Machines Work?

On chilly spring nights, temperatures near the ground can drop low enough to damage or freeze the fruit blossoms. Wind machines help by pulling down the slightly warmer air from above and mixing it with the colder air near the ground.

This circulation raises the orchard’s temperature by just a few degrees—but it’s often just enough to create a protective shield around the blossoms and prevent frost damage.

These machines will turn on when temperatures hit a critical point, and they typically run during the night or early morning hours when the threat of frost is highest.

A Look Back: From Smudge Pots to Smart Fans

Before these smart machines did the work for us, frost protection looked very different—and required a lot more muscle and midnight hustle.

In the early days, we used wind machines that ran off fuel. When a cold snap rolled in, the frost alarm would go off in the middle of the night. That meant jumping out of bed, heading into the orchard in the dark, and manually starting each fan. Alongside the fans, we’d also have to light dozens of smudge pots scattered throughout the orchard. These oil-burning pots would fill the orchard with warm, smoky air to help push back the frost. It was effective, but labor-intensive, messy, and smoky. Needless to say, we’re thankful those days are behind us. Pictured to the left were the smudge pots in action as a nod to the past—they’re an

important part of orchard history and a reminder of how far farming has come.

Today’s wind machines are more efficient and cleaner. They can cover large areas and react automatically, making them one of the most effective ways to protect crops during early spring.

So, What Are Those Fans You See?

Next time you drive through Hood River Valley or past Draper Girls and spot one of those tall wind machines standing in the orchard, you’ll know exactly what it is. They’re not just giant fans—they’re guardians of the harvest, working

to make sure those gorgeous blossoms make it through the night and grow into the fruit we all look forward to.

Spring is blooming, and we’re doing everything we can to give our trees their best start to the season!

Draper Girls