Delta Southwest Southeast Western

Advanced Search

• Home
• Grapes
• Rice
• Alfalfa
• Nuts
• Vegetables
• Cotton
• Citrus/Orchards
• Environment
• Equipment
• Marketplace

Spring looks good for California crops

Mar 31, 2008 10:05 AM

It has been a good California spring.

Herbicide applications to small grain fields in California were almost complete, according to USDA/NASS.

A few winter forage fields continued to be cut for silage in Merced County. The first cutting of alfalfa was underway and alfalfa weevil spraying was winding down.

Field preparation for spring planting continued. Mustard for seed was in full bloom in Fresno County. Spring sugar beet fields were continuing to grow well and were being fertilized, irrigated, cultivated and treated to control weeds, while new sugar beet fields continued to be planted. In Fresno County, early planted safflower continued to grow well. Cotton planting began in areas across the state.

Fruit crops

Grape vines were leafing out. Apple, apricot, cherry, nectarine, peach, pear, pomegranate, pluot and prune trees were still blooming. Peach bloom was ending in some areas and a good crop was expected on most varieties. Bloom sprays were coming to an end and many early variety stone fruit trees were leafing out. Irrigation was taking place in many vineyards and fruit tree orchards. Insect and weed control were ongoing. Spring strawberries and blueberries were blooming. Blueberry acreage was still expanding with more bushes being planted. Kiwi fruit vines were also being planted. Navel oranges were picked and packed in good volume. Valencia orange harvest moved slowly forward. Harvests of mandarins, minneolas, lemons, and pummelos continued. Lemon harvest increased slightly in the south coastal areas. Olive growers were finishing maintenance of their groves for the new season.

Tree nut crops

Almond bloom ended. An insignificant amount of flowers remained open. Nutlets in all areas of the State were differentiating in size and emerging from jackets. Trees continued to green as leaves grew. Growing conditions have been ideal so far this season. Pistachio trees were blooming. Walnuts broke dormancy in some areas.

Vegetable crops

Growers continued to harvest broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, spinach, Romaine lettuce, asparagus, amaranth, basil, bok choy, beets, head and napa cabbage, celeriac, cilantro, choy sum, daikon, dandelion, dill, leaf lettuce, lemon grass, mint, mustard and collard greens, kale, parsley, green onions, radishes, rutabagas, tatsoi, tong ho, yam leaf, yams, and yu choy. Vegetable fields were being weeded, irrigated, fertilized, and treated to control weeds, insects, and mildew. Herbicides were applied to onion and garlic fields with ongoing cultivation and irrigation. Winter radicchio harvest was complete. Transplanting of tomatoes and bell peppers for the fresh and processing markets continued. Head lettuce harvest started in the Huron area. In Merced County, endive planting began. Sweet corn was growing well in Fresno County. In Tulare County, outdoor plantings of squash were pushing out new growth and green house plantings of beans, tomatoes, mixed squash, eggplants, and chilies were growing well. In Kern County, lettuce and onion crops were looking good and carrots were being harvested.

Browse Print Issues