NOW Reality Check
Times change. Weather changes. Manage navel orangeworm accordingly. Continue reading
Author Archives: Franz Niederholzer
June Almond Orchard Management Considerations
Read this article for almond orchard management tasks to keep in mind in June. Continue reading
Potassium review
Don’t sleep on K for your orchard(s). It could cost you! Continue reading
Weather after 30 days after bloom helps plan thinning and harvest.
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. Continue reading
The most important task of the 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. Continue reading
Disease Management in Tight Budget Year
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
Time for a Hard Look- Walnuts
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
After the Rain: Maintaining Nut Quality
Sacramento Valley received approximately 2″ of rain during the last storm, leaving behind many wet almonds and challenging growers with reduced nut quality and decreased returns. Read ahead for best management practices for your situation. Continue reading
Cytospora: A Prune Grower’s Archnemesis
Cytospora canker can severely limit prune production; reducing grower income and potentially lead to early orchard removal due to scaffold and/or tree loss. This bark disease is not new to prune orchards in California, but in recent years there has been a dramatic increase in this disease in some orchards. All prune growers and PCAs should know its symptoms and management strategies. Continue reading
Weed Management in Young Almond Orchards
Successful new plantings are key to the economic future of an almond growing operation. Any setbacks in new, non-bearing orchard growth or health can be costly, distracting and stressful. Weed management is a major management focus and potential stress point in young orchard development. Continue reading
Pre-Season Airblast Sprayer Calibration
Prep your sprayer for bloom (blight) sprays. If you use stainless steel nozzles, toss out last year’s and buy new ones. If you are using ceramic nozzles, check them for wear. Ceramic nozzles do wear out, eventually. Once you are happy with your nozzles, check pump and system strainers as well as those at the nozzle. Continue reading
Prune Orchard Investments in a Better Market Year
Prune prices to California growers are influenced by world production volume that can change, dramatically, from year to year. Read this article for recommendations about how to prepare for next year. Continue reading
Preparing for 2022
Plan for the worst, hope for the best. That’s a tough, solid, strategy as the 2021 season winds down and growers and PCAs look to 2022. Read this article for some considerations when following this strategy. Continue reading
Almond Variety Planting Trends
With the right varieties, a new almond orchard should be profitable for at least 20 years. Many decisions contribute to successfully meeting that target. One key decision is variety selection. Knowledge of the current and past variety planting trends of almonds in California may be helpful in this decision. Continue reading
Fruit set, 2021. What happened?
Hot weather around full bloom coincided with local or statewide prune crop failures in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2013, and 2020. What do we know about how high temperatures affect prune fruit set, and what can we do about it? Continue reading