normal progression of hull split (July 23)

This picture is of nuts with hull split at the stage I would have expected most nuts to be since I saw the beginning of hull split more than 10 days ago.


The nuts in the lower picture are representative of most of the Nonpareil nuts I am seeing.  Many nuts not split at all, and many with only early splitting along the suture line.  This is surprising considering the warm weather we have had.  Hopefully things will move along faster so that harvest is not delayed.  The later harvest starts, the later it will end, increasing the chances of wet weather at the tail end of harvest.

slow progression of hull split typical of nuts year, (July 23)

Started an exciting new almond development project this week.  The pictures don't show it, but some of the hills are STEEP!  Scrapers are taking the tops off the steepest hills so they can be safely farmed.  A ripper started loosening the ground.  I'll post pictures of the equipment working next week.

These are the first splitting hulls I've seen this year.  They are on an outside Nonpareil tree along an avenue.  The rest won't be far behind!