Poling Mummies

January is the month to remove mummies (nuts that were not removed from the trees at the most recent harvest).  Mummies are the overwintering site for Navel Orange Worm (NOW). Mummy removal is the most important worm control activity of the year. In orchards where there are not too many mummies and if they are easy to remove, hand poling is an economical approach. Sadly, notice the lack of weed growth here. Since my rainy day post of November 20, 2013 we have had no rain, and none is in the forecast. The awful "D" word is heard every day, Drought. More on that later.