Sacramento Valley Orchard Source

Bloom date and cropload per tree still have the largest influence on harvest date and fruit size potential, but knowing GDH30 accumulation can be used to fine tune harvest and thinning planning. However, given cooler weather in the 30 days following 50% full bloom, knowing growing degree hours can better inform thinning planning.

The extremely wet winter this year has likely helped growers to kill more overwintering navel orangeworms (NOW) than in warmer and dryer winter years. However, a wet, cold winter will not kill all NOW, and being complacent might result in a bad NOW year.

There is no more important activity in prune growing than checking the crop load in late April (or early May this year?). Knowing the crop load (fruit/tree) in an orchard is the most critical piece of data needed to decide if shaker thinning is needed.

A careful approach to irrigation in 2023 is one way to both save money and help ensure you have a healthy and productive orchard.

More details on the examples in "Healthier Orchards with A Careful Start of Irrigation in 2023."