sept-oct-2020

Orchard Management Benefits • Attracts beneficial insects that control pests (IPM) • Assists mummy nut decomposition • Reduces dust • Decreases muddy orchard floor conditions Environmental Benefits • Carbon sequestration • Chemical free nematode suppression with mustards • Amends soil with non-fertilizer sources of nitrogen Besides bee health, the top four reported reasons Seeds for Bees participants use cover crops are, increased water infiltration, increased organic matter, better weed control and nitrogen fixation. Often these benefits are seen after planting cover crops for several years. Improving neglected soil is a long-term investment, just like your trees and vines. However, some graduates of the Seeds for Bees program saw a difference in two years. I hear testimonials like “My compacted ground is already opening up,” or “I spent less money on weed control” every year. Now is the time to start using cover crops to improve your crop production. Supporting Data The anecdotal evidence I hear about is also being backed by hard data. University of California professors, University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources extension agents, Almond Board of California, and Project Apis m . are working together in almond orchards throughout the state to gather data on the effect of cover crops in orchard systems. The preliminary data shared by these investigators regarding benefits and risks is very exciting. Research shows seed mixes high in legumes (like PAm’s Clover Mix, Soil Builder Mix and Vetch-Grain Mix) can boost nitrogen levels in the soil. Orchards with cover crops had 82 more nitrogen pounds per acre in Merced county and 126 more nitrogen pounds per acre in Kern county, than orchards without cover crops. Tell your dealer you want Fan-Jets. Contact us at 1-800-BOWSMITH or www.bowsmith.com Fan-Jet Microsprinklers ® Add a Fan-Jet ® line to existing dual line drip Quality & Trust Since 1974 Quality & Trust Since 1974 Precision Rain - Rain when you want it, where you want it. Frost Protection - Fan-Jets can help provide frost protection by raising the ambient temperature by 2-3 degrees. Fan-Jets will allow you to push salts away from the root zone. Tell your dealer you want Fan-Jets. American Made American Owned 1 9 S E P T E M B E R – O C T O B E R 2 0 2 0