SWEEP GRANT- Improve Your Water Use Efficiency

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is expecting to launch grant rounds by the end of 2023 to help California farmers increase their water use efficiency. The State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) provides financial assistance in the form of grants (Up to $200,000 per farming entity) to implement irrigation systems that reduce […]

What are anaerobic conditions and how do they affect your crop?

Farmers, as well as nature, can create hypoxic soils. In extremely wet years, there is very little growers can do to avoid losses resulting from saturated soil conditions. During winter months, cooler temperatures can help to reduce the effects of saturated conditions because both soil microbial activity and plant growth is limited. On the other […]

Post-Harvest Irrigation

Post-Harvest Irrigation It is finally here: Harvest season! It is time to collect the product of your hard work. After many months of constant work, stress and having to deal with unexpected events, vacation and family time often becomes the next priorities for many growers. As though, these are as important, if not more, there […]

Mid-Season Tactics for Soil Rehydration in Mature Almonds

In years when heat waves occur in Early May and June, it is important to ensure that the soil profile maintains adequate moisture for your orchard to utilize. This can be dramatically different for every orchard depending on field characteristics. However, for most growers this means being able to percolate water at least 12” to […]

Drought Management Strategies for Young Orchards

New plantings can be tricky especially in a year where water quality and quantity are low. Ensuring that your trees are well taken care off can become a balancing act while combating hot weather, mitigating various salts and providing the correct amount of water for transpiration. As stewards of the land, we are very aware […]

Reducing ‘Flame Seedless’ Berry Cracking Through Soil Tension Management

After a long, hot summer one of the most frustrating issues for any California table grape grower is berry cracking at harvest.  Berry cracking can occur in many varieties. However, the ‘Flame Seedless’, the earliest Central Valley variety harvested, is notorious for berry cracking.  There are many different factors that can cause berry cracking such […]