Trees are beginning to wake up throughout California and buds are beginning to swell in early blooming varieties. There has been little emergence of green tissue breaking through their buds, however this should become more prevalent next week. Truckloads of bees are still arriving from out of state, and beekeepers have began placing hives in the orchards.
Precipitation levels throughout the state has been well above average, significantly higher than levels received in the past few years. Storms passing through the state created localized flooding and increased water levels within many of the state’s important reservoirs.
On average, temperatures through December and January stayed below 60 degrees during the day and overnight lows held above 30 degrees.
Pre-emergent herbicides have been applied to the tree rows to help control weed growth. Winter applications of fertilizer were applied as growers were able to enter their fields between storms. Removal and shredding of mummy nuts is nearly complete. Wet weather made removal of mummy nuts more difficult this year as saturated ground in areas limited equipment access into orchards. Growers anxiously await the start of bloom and are keeping an eye on the weather forecast.
Regular bloom reporting will begin in the coming weeks as trees begin to bloom.