Your source for orchard news & information in the Sacramento Valley
Jaime Ott, Orchard Advisor, UCCE Tehama, Shasta, Glenn, and Butte Counties This winter is likely to be very wet, and now is the best time to start preparing. Wet winter weather can bring on a host of problems for orchards, … Continue reading
Franz Niederholzer, Orchards Systems Advisor, Colusa and Sutter/Yuba Counties Sudan Gyawaly, UC IPM Advisor, Sacramento Valley The most recent Position Report released by the Almond Board of California shows a 0.55% drop in total rejects from 2025 (2.25%) to 2026 … Continue reading
Ryan Hill, UCCE Weed Science and Agronomy Advisor, Tehama, Shasta, and Glenn Counties Overview: Rimsulfuron (sold as Matrix, Hinge, Grapple, Revolt, and others) can be used in tank mixes to control difficult winter-annual weeds like hairy fleabane and Italian ryegrass … Continue reading
Franz Niederholzer, UCCE Farm Advisor, Colusa and Sutter/Yuba Counties Fruit brown rot infection results in off-grade fruit and, in worst cases, may result in a sub-standard grade for the entire crop. The most effective programs for fruit brown rot control … Continue reading
Franz Niederholzer, UCCE Orchards Advisor Colusa and Sutter-Yuba Counties When planning orchard operations for this fall and winter, consider including options for a warm fall and/or a very wet winter. On June 11, 2026, the National Weather Service issued an … Continue reading
Franz Niederholzer, UCCE Orchard Advisor, Colusa and Sutter-Yuba Counties Nutrient inputs (fertilizer, amendments, etc.) are expensive. Crop losses from nutrient deficiencies cost the grower even more. For example, fertilizer inputs (nitrogen, potassium, zinc, and B where needed) can run to … Continue reading
Franz Niederholzer, UCCE Orchards Advisor, Colusa, Sutter-Yuba Counties Early bloom and a warm March contributed to rapid almond crop development this year, with kernel fill and first hull split at least a week ahead of past years. Please consider the … Continue reading
Jaime Ott, UCCE Tehama, Shasta, Glenn, Butte Counties July leaf samples are our best tool for understanding the nutrient status of our trees. While nutrient levels in leaves change rapidly earlier in the season, by July they have stabilized and … Continue reading
Rodenticide and Bait Stations Bait stations are available by request via email. The first two are free while supplies last, but additional bait stations can be ordered for a fee. Scan the QR code to order via email. CDFA rodenticide … Continue reading
Dr. Rich Rosecrance and Karla Caldera, Department of Plant Science, California State University, Chico Potassium (K) plays a major role in prune production—fruit size, sugars, and dry-away. Many growers use foliar potassium to supplement soil programs, but results can be … Continue reading
Jaime Ott, UCCE Tehama, Shasta Glenn, Butte Counties The Bottom Line: – Despite warm weather near Improved French bloom, most orchards have a heavy crop this year. – We have high GDH30 values, so expect an early harvest and poor … Continue reading
Franz Niederholzer, UCCE Farm Advisor, Colusa, Sutter, Yuba Counites Bottom line: In many prune orchards in the Yuba City/Gridley area, it looks like a decent to good crop set, but early bloom + warm post-bloom weather may deliver: early reference … Continue reading
Curt Pierce, Irrigation and Water Resources Advisor, Glenn, Tehama, Colusa, and Shasta Counties If you are using a pressure chamber or FloraPulse sensors to manage your prune irrigation, you may be interested in our new online tool for stem water … Continue reading
Domena A. Agyeman, UCCE Agricultural Economic Advisor; Butte, Glenn, and Tehama Counties Becky Wheeler-Dykes, UCCE Orchard Systems Advisor; Glenn, Tehama and Colusa Counties Cropload management is one of the most important practices in prune production. Timely and appropriate (fruit per … Continue reading
Clarissa Reyes, Orchard Systems Advisor, Sutter, Yuba, Butte and Placer counties Peach harvest can be predicted fairly accurately by the temperatures in the first 30 days following bloom. Other factors such as weather near harvest, soil, tree nutrition, and water … Continue reading