California crops progressing well after rains
Mar 13, 2008 10:03 AM
Herbicides continued to be applied to California small grain fields. Dryland grain was growing well after recent rains and was being aerially fertilized in Fresno County. Alfalfa fields continued to grow well and alfalfa weevil spraying continued. Field preparation for spring planting continued. Spring sugar beet fields continued to grow well and were being fertilized, irrigated, cultivated and treated to control weeds. In Fresno County, early planted safflower was growing well. Potato harvest is six to eight weeks away and sweet potato hot bed planting continued.
Fruit crops
Grape buds were starting to swell and pruning in vineyards was virtually complete. In many parts of the state, stone fruit bloom was in full swing. Bud break was just beginning in other areas. The warmer weather increased bee pollination. Fungicide treatments were applied to protect blooms in moist condition. Strawberries were growing well. Citrus harvest picked up speed as groves dried out from earlier rains. Minneola tangelo and W. Murcott mandarin harvests increased. Oro Blanco and Melo Gold grapefruit were picked, as well as Chandler pummelos. The Navel orange harvest moved forward. The harvest of lemons was increasing in the south coastal areas.
Nut crops
Leaves were increasing in size and nutlets were growing on early blooming almond trees in the northern parts of the state. Jacket split had begun on a few varieties. Petal drop had begun on late blooming varieties. Bloom was nearing its end in the central areas and petal fall was increasing. Less bloom was seen in the south, where petal fall was significant with more trees in the jacket stage. Almond and walnut trees were planted in some areas and established walnuts were pruned.
Vegetable crops
Spring harvest of broccoli, Romania lettuce, carrot and cauliflower crops continued. Herbicides were applied to onion and garlic fields with ongoing cultivation. Winter radicchio harvest continued. In Fresno County, growers continued to harvest farmers market crops such as amaranth, basil, bok choy, beets, broccoli, head and napa cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celeriac, cilantro, choy sum, daikon, dandelion, dill, leaf lettuce, lemon grass, mint, mustard and collard greens, kale, parsley, green onions, radishes, spinach, rutabagas, tatsoi, tong ho, yam leaf, yams, and yu choy. Asparagus shoots were emerging. Vegetable fields were being weeded, irrigated, fertilized, and treated to control weeds, insects, and mildew. Early planted beet, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, garlic, onion, and lettuce crops were growing well with ongoing irrigation. Transplanting of tomatoes for the fresh and processing began last week. In Tulare County harvest of early planted spinach varieties began. Outdoor plantings of zucchini, summer and yellow crookneck squash were growing well under hot caps. Late plantings of beans, mixed squash, eggplants, and miscellaneous oriental vegetables were growing well in green houses.
Livestock
Grasslands continued to grow well in many areas, providing adequate cattle feed. Cattle weight gains improved. Supplemental feeding of cattle continued to decline. Sheep and lambs continued to graze in alfalfa fields.
Almond Pest Management
(New Course)
Insecticide Resistance Management in Agronomic and Row Crops
Agronomic Weed Resistance Management in Row Crops, Trees Nuts and Vines 
