You can also download the FAQs as a PDF

Some of the most common questions that are asked about JackFrostFoam™ are as follows.

Q: What is the cost of the foam and how much foam can a gallon of ready to use product make?

A: The price of the foam on an acre or area bases will depend on the amount of coverage that is being applied. The foam price is based on a cubic foot and the grower price is US $0.06-$0.079/cubic foot, depending on package size. One gallon of ready to use product in a tank can make approximately 450 + gallons of foam. Four hundred and fifty gallons of foam is equal to 60 cubic foot of foam.

Q: What is the cost of covering an area or acre?

A: To calculate the number of cubic feet needed to cover an acre or area, use the following formula. Count the number of plants in an acre and measuring the size of the plants to be covered. A plant needs to have 6 + inches of insulating foam around it. This will provide a good insulating barrier. From this information the number of cubic feet can be calculated and a price can be estimated.

Formula to follow (in inches):

Height x Width x Length, = answer

Divide answer by 1728 (cubic inches in cubic foot) = cubic foot.

To figure price multiply cubic foot by prices provided above.

Example, for 3100 plants per acre with a plant size of 10 inches tall and around, formula is:

Q: What is the foam material made up of?

A: The material that makes up the foam consist of three parts 1) Formula A: plant safe foaming base. 2) Formula B: foam stabilizer. 3) Ph Activator: an activator.

NOTE the correct volume of activator should be used to raise tank mix ph to between 7.4-7.8 ph). When all components of Jack Frost Foam™ is combined in the tank at their proper rates and following all label directions, the end result will be a foam that. A) An insulating-foam that will not harm the crop, being covered. B) An insulating-foam that will last during the freeze period. C) An insulating-foam that will give plants a protective barrier against a freeze.

Q: How do I know when I reach a ph of 7.4-7.8.

A: American Ag. Foam LLC recommends a digital liquid ph meter to test the ph of the tank mix. American Ag. Foam does not endorse any brand but has used successfully a meter from Fisher Scientific product called Oakton* Waterproof pH Tester* BNC catalog number 13-301-04 and can be viewed here.

Q: Can I use a regular soap to produce the foam?

A: A regular soap will not accomplish the same end result, as Jack Frost Foam™. Using another product as a substitute can result in A) crop kill (entire crop will suffer a burn effect with possible total plant kill to follow. B) The foam will not last very long (foam will breakdown in 1-25 minutes). C) The crop will freeze due to an inferior product being used that is not designed to insulate a crop against a killer freeze.

Q: What crops can be covered with Jack Frost Foam™?

A: The crops that Jack Frost foam™ has been tested on can be found on the Efficacy of Cryo-Protectant Material for Frost Protection located on the bottom home page of our web site. A crop compatibility test is always recommended and required on other crops not listed, before actual use of Jack Frost Foam™ begins.

Q: How many times can you use Jack Frost Foam™ on the same crop?

A: Jack Frost Foam™ can be applied several times during freeze events on the same crop.

Q: How do you get rid of the foam the next morning?

A: American Ag. Foam LLC recommends too spray down Jack Frost Foam™ with water after the freeze event when the temperature is at 40º F and climbing. Washing down the surface of the foam will weaken the surface foam membrane, allowing the foam to break down quicker. This is recommended in southern states, where temperatures after a freeze event will increase during the day.

This is also recommended for the following reasons: 1) prevents plant overheating (overheating can damage plants) within the foam due to the insulating abilities that the foam blanket exhibits. 2) Washing will help to eliminate foam residue that is a natural occurrence of foam breakdown on the plant surface.

Q: How long will the JackFrostFoam™ last?

A: The foam will form a surface barrier or skin as the temperature begins to drop. The faster the temperature drops the faster the foam will set, after it is formed from the cannon tip. Two ideal conditions before applying the foam need to occur. 1) When the temperature is below 60 º F and also dropping at a rate of 2 degrees every15 minutes. 2) The sun is starting to go down (in the South ideal times are around 4:00-5:00pm). Foam can be applied right up to the point of frost damage. This means that foam can be placed on the crop until the portion of the crop that is not covered is damaged by the freezing temperatures. Jack Frost foam™ will begin to breakdown the next day when the temperature begins to climb above 45-50 º F or is washed down as mentioned above.

Q: Can Jack Frost Foam™ be applied during hail, freezing rain, or sleet.

A: The answer is no, Jack Frost Foam™ is not recommended to be applied during hail, sleet, or freezing rain events. These events will breakdown the protective foam barrier in a short period of time. In conditions where moisture is present on the plant surface, moisture will not affect Jack Frost Foam™ ability to last.

Q: Will wind effect Jack Frost Foam™ when applied in the field?

A: Jack Frost Foam™ can stand wind speeds of 6 MPH with little surface sheering occurring. In tested areas Jack Frost Foam™ holds better, on bare ground compared to a smooth surface such as row plastic. On ground plastic wind speed of 6 mph or lower is recommended before applying Jack Frost Foam™ to your crop. Future Jack Frost products will be available that will allow Jack Frost Foam™ to be applied in winds speeds of 10-20 mph. Check at www.jackfrostfoam.com for future product updates.

Q: Can I use my sprayer equipment to apply the foam?

A: The answer is yes. The foam is generated using a specialized foam cannon and air generating system. Please visit our web site at www.jackfrostfoam.com where you will be directed to a Jack Frost Foam™ generator manufacturer in your area. You can also contact us to find a Jack Frost Foam™ generator manufacturer in your area if you can not find it on our website American Ag. Foam LLC recommends you monitor our web site for updates on new machines and optional add on equipment.

Q: How fast can you cover the crop?

A: The current machines that produce the foam can generate approximately 500+ gallons of foam a minute per cannon. This is equal to 66.84 cubic foot of foam produced per minute. The Jack Frost Foam™ tank units come in various sizes for specific markets. A foam generator can range from a small 30 gallon nursery model, to a 100 gallon truck bed or trailer mount unit, to a commercial 600 gallon large scale nursery or farm operation. The number of cannons that are available range in number from 1-12+ nozzles attached to the main tanks. You can visit our web site where you will find additional information on the equipment.

Q: Can I purchase the Jack Frost Foam™ Generator units at any time.

A: Yes, the Jack Frost Foam™ Generator units are built as ordered and can be ordered all year round. Delivery time is from date of purchase and depends on unit ordered. Check with manufacturer for correct delivery time. American Ag Foam LLC recommends you order early to ensure delivery before the frost comes.

Q: Can Jack Frost Foam™ be used by a certified organic grower.

A: No, Jack Frost Foam™ is not a product that is or can be used by a Certified Organic Grower.

Q: Can I return any portion of Jack Frost Foam™ materials that I do not use.

A: American Ag. Foam LLC does not take back returns of any portion of sold material. All Sales are Final.

If you have any other questions, please contact us.

Please click here for a slide show of The University of Florida test results on the Efficacy of Cryo-Protectant Material for Frost Protection conducted in 2005 & 2006.