Crop progress reports indicate almond orchards show signs of awakening

Blue Diamond Growers released its Feb. 16 crop progress report that noted almond orchards in California are beginning to emerge from winter dormancy. While Sonora and a few early varieties are already in significant bloom, others are expected to follow suit soon.

Nonpareil, a prominent almond variety, has started to show signs of awakening in many orchards across the Valley, with other California types not far behind. Orchards planted with Fritz are slightly ahead, while Monterey and Carmel are trailing. The later blooming Butte and Padre almond varieties are just entering the green tip stage, according to Blue Diamond’s report.

The report also indicated a variation among Nonpareil and their associated pollinators is noticeable, with some orchards just beginning to present flowers for pollination, while others are already showing open bloom. Self-fertile varieties like Independence and Shasta are also progressing steadily, with Shasta leading the bloom.

“Wet weather earlier in the year has delayed weed control measures and mummy nut destruction in many orchards, but growers have stayed determined to accomplish these tasks,” Trent Voss, regional manager, member relations for Blue Diamond Growers stated in the email. “Orchard removal continues throughout the state as exhausted nonproductive orchards continue to be removed.”

The full almond crop progress report from Feb. 16, 2024 is available online at Blue Diamond Growers website.