Your source for orchard news & information in the Sacramento Valley
The way forward to a better future is not clear. Forging ahead with the same practices and expecting a natural return to better times is looking like a long shot- it’s time to stop, think, observe, and plan for the future. Continue reading
This report covers the CIMIS stations in Woodland, Davis, Staten Island, and Verona for June 02- June 30, 2022. Continue reading
This report covers the CIMIS stations in Woodland, Davis, Staten Island, and Verona for June 02- June 30, 2022. Continue reading
With continued tight nut markets and high input costs, it’s worth considering all nutrient input options in an effort to lower costs and maintain production. Sustainable nutrient management includes assessment of irrigation nitrate, adding compost manure amendments or almond shells, and using nitrogen-fixing cover crops. Continue reading
As farmers have reduced their reliance on organophosphate insecticides for pest control, there has been a shift to other control tactics. Most challenging for the topic of watersheds has been a shift towards increased use of pyrethroids. In general, the amounts found are low, nevertheless, cases of exceedances do occur, and these cases need to be eliminated. Continue reading
With 41 California counties officially in a drought emergency and water allocations significantly reduced in many areas, many growers and managers are stuck with less water than walnuts use for prime production levels. Read this article for more information about how to manage walnut irrigation in drought years. Continue reading
This report covers the CIMIS stations in Woodland, Davis, Staten Island, and Verona for April 29-June 02, 2022. Continue reading
This report covers the CIMIS stations in Tehama County (Gerber South), Butte County (Biggs and Durham) and Colusa County (Williams). More information on using ET Reports is available here. Accumulations started on February 25th 2022 for pasture, table and high density … Continue reading
When needed, shaker thinning can improve a grower’s bottom line this year and next year. Careful, timely thinning increases A & B size fruit production, limits small, lower value prunes in the bin at harvest and improves return bloom next year. Continue reading
In a light crop year following frost, fertilizer savings are possible, but some fertilizer, especially N should be applied to maintain orchard health and crop potential for next year. Continue reading
Record low temperatures on February 24 severely reduced nut set and limited almond yield across thousands of acres of orchards in the Sacramento Valley. The following are our best suggestions for irrigating to bring the remaining crop to market, and ensure good crop potential for next year. Continue reading
For any pest or disease like walnut blight that requires pesticide application to keep in check, there are four key pillars to successful management: timing, material, rate, and coverage. Read more for the latest updates for managing walnut blight in 2022. Continue reading
Potted nursery trees are here to stay, but they have challenges and a learning curve for growers accustomed to planting bare root trees. One of the major challenges is irrigating during the orchard’s first year. Continue reading
Late winter to early spring is the time of year that pocket gophers are usually cranking up their Barry White playlist. This reproductive pulse generally results in three to five young per litter, roughly doubling to tripling the population of gophers that feed on almond roots and crown. Reducing gopher populations ahead of this reproductive pulse is the most time-effective way to reduce gopher damage in your orchard. Continue reading
The 2021-2022 water year, which began on October 1st, got off to a promising start. Precipitation patterns brought snow to the mountains and rain to the valleys in amounts not seen for a few years. Unfortunately, a relatively dry January snapped us all out of dreams of a “normal” year and brought us back to our new (drier) reality. Continue reading