Information Sourced from the USDA // Photo Sourced on Unsplash
Weather
Average low temperatures for California ranged from 31 to 61 in the mountains, 45 to 91 in the desert, 48 to 72 along the coast, and 54 to 76 in the Central Valley. Average high temperatures for the state ranged from 47 to 81 in the mountains, 61 to 99 along the coast, 80 to 99 in the Central Valley, and 82 to 111 in the desert.
Field Crops
In the Sacramento Valley, sunflower, field corn, and rice fields were drying down with the help of warmer weather. In Stanislaus County, alfalfa hay, alfalfa silage, and corn silage harvests continued. The second crop of silage corn emerged. Harvested silage corn fields were disced. In the San Joaquin Valley, cotton bolls began to crack open and final irrigation water was applied. Insect pressure was light, but fields continued to be monitored for white fly and aphids. In Tulare County, corn for silage continued to be chopped. Alfalfa was cut, raked, and baled. Cotton and corn fields continued to develop.
Fruit Crops
Table grape harvest continued as growers attempted to assess the damage from Hurricane Hilary. Substantial losses were reported to mid-season grape varieties due to split and rot from Hurricane Hilary. Wine grape harvest began in some areas. Apricot and cherry orchards were pruned. Peach, plum, and nectarine harvests continued. Figs and prunes were harvested. Pomegranates, kiwifruit, and persimmons continued to develop. Gala apples were harvested. Pear harvest was in full swing with Bartlett and Bosc varieties picked and packed. Olive trees were trimmed as growers prepared for harvest. Strawberries continued to develop with some reports of mildew and bruising due to high humidity and heat. Older blueberry fields were removed and replanted with newer varieties. Valencia oranges, grapefruit, and mandarins were picked and packed. District 2 lemon harvest continued. Some orange trees were topped and skirted.
Nut Crops
Damage was reported in some almond orchards where trees had been shaken and nuts remained on the ground during Hurricane Hilary. Nuts still on trees prior to the hurricane sustained minimal to no damage. Almond harvest continued with orchard floors cleaned and trees shaken. Walnuts, pistachios, and pecans continued to mature. Almond and walnut orchards were sprayed for pests and weeds.
Vegetables
In San Mateo County, pumpkin, tomato and pepper harvests continued. Brussel sprout harvest began. Processing tomato harvest continued in the Sacramento Valley. Fungicides were applied to reduce the development of mold on unharvested fields. Pumpkin harvest continued in the Capay Valley. In Sutter County, melon harvest continued. In San Joaquin County, eggplant harvest continued. In Stanislaus County, tomato, sweet potato, watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew harvests continued. In Tulare County, growers continued to sell tomatoes, sweet corn, squash, watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew melons at local markets. Carrot harvest continued in Kern County. Broccoli, celery, cauliflower, squash, lettuce, bell pepper, and brussel sprout harvests continued along the Central Coast.
Livestock
Foothill rangeland and non-irrigated pasture were mostly in fair condition. Irrigated pasture was in good to excellent condition. Some cattle were grazing on higher elevation range. Sheep grazed retired cropland as well as harvested melon and vegetable fields. Bees were active in some squash fields.
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