jul-aug-2020

ant bait materials for control. Based on the material used, different application timings are recommended. Product and application details impact ant control efficacy and should be understood and followed for best results. Weeds Eliminating weeds with postemergence herbicides followed by close mowing of dead weeds as harvest approaches reduces trash and helps with nut drying. Check with your PCA for the best options available to you for your particular situation. Nutrition By the time you read this, there should be little benefit from adding nutrients ahead of harvest. Preharvest nitrogen application could stimulate cambial growth and possibly increase barking risk. I have never heard of this being experimentally tested, but without that evidence, it’s my opinion that the stakes are too high and the benefit too low to apply nitrogen before harvest. Following a huge crop, growers with low summer leaf nitrogen levels, the ability to irrigate and fertigate Nonpareil separately from pollinizer varieties, and Independence blocks could apply a low rate of nitrogen fertilizer (20 to 30 pounds of nitrogen per acre) soon after harvest to fill overwintering storage sites in the tree. If your July leaf levels are good (2.5 percent nitrogen or higher), postharvest nitrogen applied in September or October will not deliver increased yield in 2021, based on my experience. Chances are that the big crop in the Sacramento and mid-upper San Joaquin Valleys this year (according to the objective estimate) will dampen the yield potential for those orchards next year (fewer flowers) and postharvest nitrogen won’t change that. Take a hull sample for boron analysis from windrows across the orchard just before pickup. A sample from each variety is a good idea. With more groundwater used this year around the valley, hull boron levels may be up in many blocks. These hull boron lab results are important to deciding on postharvest nutrition program this fall and, perhaps, into next year. Hulls from the 500-nut harvest samples are a good source of hulls for boron analysis. Healthy Harvest Take care of yourself and employees, especially throughout harvest. Healthy management and crew are critical to harvesting and delivering a high-quality record crop. Heat Back to Your Roots 1-800-288-8128 • www.tgschmeiser.com Better Root Zone Management from The twin ripper is equipped with patented vibrating winged shanks. Soil structure breakout is unmatched by any conventional ripper. Using the new Mid-Row Ripper from Schmeiser “Its the new best way for planting orchards and vineyards, period.” - John Duarte of Duarte Nursery Manage your Root Zone using the new Mid-Row Ripper. · 4X Better Soil Breakout · Water Savings and Enhanced Drainage · Superior Mixing of Amendments in the Root Zone 3 7 J U L Y – A U G U S T 2 0 2 0