Your source for orchard news & information in the Sacramento Valley
Walnuts are one of the highest chill requirement tree crops in California but recent winters have fallen short of the chill needed for a tight, economical walnut bloom. With funding from the California Walnut Board, dormancy breaking treatments are being tested in California’s conditions using products used to compensate for inadequate chill in other crops and countries. Continue reading
An excerpt from The Almond Doctor on a tree’s response to flooding. Continue reading
It is looking like spring outside, and prune bloom is picking up. Keep reading for prune orchard management tasks to keep in mind this month. Continue reading
Read this article for prune orchard management tasks to keep in mind in May. Continue reading
Read this article for prune orchard management tasks to keep in mind in April. Continue reading
Clarissa Reyes, North Sacramento Valley Orchard System Staff Research Associate Bees: Order bees, usually a 1 hive/acre stocking rate. Employ best management practices for maintaining hive health. Before making fungicide application, check for bees nearby using the ‘Bee Check’ tool … Continue reading
There are those years we like to leave behind, and 2022 will be at the top of the list for the walnut industry. Read for more information on the most likely environmental conditions that led to 2022 crop damage and subsequent yield losses and poor nut quality. Continue reading
Getting the best results, affordably, is vital to delivering the crop this year and next. Given that 2023 is off to a wet start, there is a possibility of increased disease pressure when compared to the last three years- making disease management even more important. Continue reading
Facing a fourth consecutive year of drought conditions across California, and pressures to preserve existing water reserves has led to more California growers taking interest in incorporating some form of agriculturally managed recharge (AG-MAR) into their water management plans. Read further to learn how cover crops can help divert runoff from winter storms into groundwater basins for future use. Continue reading