Author Archives: Katherine Jarvis-Shean

Ethephon in a Straggled Leaf-Out, Lean Price Year

Posted on August 3 2020 by Katherine Jarvis-Shean

Given this spring’s prolonged leaf-out window, it is likely that there will also be a wide window in the timing of hull split and a need for two shakes in some varieties. Ethephon is a commonly used tool for advancing hull split and harvest-readiness in walnuts. Remember that there are two potential timings of ethephon, based on different goals. Continue reading →

Rootstock Trial for Boron Tolerance – 2019 Update

Posted on May 4 2020 by Katherine Jarvis-Shean

Excessive boron in soil or irrigation water is not widespread in the Central Valley, but where present, it can be a substantial obstacle to almond production. A rootstock trial in Yolo County was designed to find which almond rootstocks do better or worse under high boron conditions. What follows is a summary of findings to date. What follows is a summary of findings to date. Continue reading →

Cover Crop Seed Selection

Posted on July 17 2019 by Katherine Jarvis-Shean

There are plenty of benefits that can come from cover cropping in an almond orchard, including improved orchard access, improved water infiltration, encouraging native pollinizers and improved honeybee health. But all the options of species to plant can be overwhelming. Herein we’ll review how to pick a cover crop seed blend for a particular orchard. Continue reading →

Considerations for Replanting Walnut Orchards

Posted on September 19 2017 by Katherine Jarvis-Shean

As orchards age, yields decline for a number of reasons and eventually the decision is made to remove the orchard. The age at which an orchard is pulled is a unique decision for each block, depending on yield, price, demand, and resources. Here are a number of recommended steps in removing an orchard, especially when preparing to replant that orchard into walnuts again. Continue reading →