What's Happening on the Farm

What's Happening on the Farm

Almond Cover Crop (Kind Of)

I planted a strip of triticale along the berms last fall in an attempt to  improve soil structure.  Triticale is a cross between the wheat and rye and has a very vigorous root system that will penetrate deeply and help to add organic matter and floculate the soil.  I am having issues in this orchard because the soil is very…

What's Happening on the Farm

The Alfalfa is Off to the Races!

One of the most difficult crops to establish is Alfalfa grown for seed.  First, the seed is tiny and does not have enough energy to emerge if it is planted too deep or if the soil crusts after a rain or irrigation.  Second, alfalfa takes a long time to develop and is very attractive to every bug and bird in…

What's Happening on the Farm

Wheat in California?

Yes, this is a wheat field in Central California.  Its a crop that you don’t see around much any more but I am holding out.  This particular field is planted to a “beardless” variety and will most likely be cut for hay the end of April.  It fits my rotation well because it uses very little water due to the…

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Here are Almond in the Gel Stage

The immature almonds are beginning to look like almonds.  The tree is pumping nutrients, protein and carbohydrates into the small kernels and they are growing larger every day.  The embryo is soft and filled with gel and will take several months to harden into a completely mature nut.  Until then, it is important to give the tree the fertilizer and…

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This is what’s Called “Transplant Shock”

When the tomato seedlings come from the nursery, they are healthy and deep green in color.  They have spent their young lives in a controlled environment and were given everything they needed to become healthy plants.  Eventually though, they must leave the ideal environment of the nursery and start life as a tomato plant in the open fields. These seedlings…

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The Almonds are Growing Fast!

In just a few short weeks the blooms have completely cycled out and now the orchard is beginning to fill with almonds.  As the almonds mature they push through the calyx and it drops to the ground.  The leaves are forming rapidly and spreading out to grab as much sunlight as possible. It is the leaves that do most of…

What's Happening on the Farm

Time to Plant Watermelons

Organic vegetables are a big part of our farm and the first block was planted today.  I grow different types but these plants are the “Mini” watermelons that are also referred to as “personal” watermelons because of their small size.  These will be harvested around June 20th and will most likely end up in a Whole Foods Market for the…

What's Happening on the Farm

Flowers– Not Just Pretty to Look At

Sometimes it’s easy to forget why the almond flowers are so beautiful.  Their sole purpose is to attract bees to bring pollen and fertilize them.  If the bees never visited the flowers and deposited pollen onto the pistil, there would be no almond. The pictures below are a great visual representation of the birth of the almond crop.  If you…

What's Happening on the Farm

Snow in the Orchards?

OK…maybe not snow… but it sure looks like it.  In a few days these trees will be completely green and the bloom period will be finished.  The fertilized blooms are beginning to mature into almonds and the others are falling to the ground.  It will take four to five months for the blooms to transform into an almond and the…