Author Archives: Sacramento Valley Orchards

Native hedgerows as a weed management tool in orchards

Justin Valliere, Assistant Professor of Cooperative Extension, Invasive Weed & Restoration Ecology, UC Davis Rachael Long, Emeritus Farm Advisor for Field Crops, Pest Management Field edges are a common source of weed intrusion into farms, often requiring intensive management. Establishing … Continue reading

Ethephon for Earlier Harvest

Ethephon, also known as Ethrel®, is an ethylene-based plant growth regulator applied at walnut maturity, or shortly thereafter, which accelerates hull cracking and separation from the shell. This advances walnut harvest by four to seven days, depending on the season and variety, and nut value is increased by lighter kernel color and possibly less insect damage. Continue reading