Beautiful Sierra

El Capitan from 30,000 ft. Snow cover is the best in years. Thanks be to God! And more on the way. 

Between rain storms.

No one is complaining about the regular rainfall we have received so far this winter. (But we will complain if it rains during bloom which is coming up soon!) That's human nature.

I guess I've been at this a while. I supervised the planting of this orchard in 1991. A typical almond orchards productive life span is between 20 and 25 years.

WINTER SANITATION IN THE ORCHARD

Mummies turn black from mold on the hulls but worms love the interiors

Mummies (nuts not removed at harvest) are the overwintering site for Navel Orangeworm, a primary pest of almonds. I think of mummies as Navel Orangeworm "hotels" where the worms live in comfort waiting to infect the new crop next year.

Winter shaking

Removal of the mummies by shaker, or by hand poling, is the most effective and important control for Navel Orangeworms. This cultural control is used by all serious growers as part of an integrated pest control program and allows us to reduce the need for expensive chemical sprays.

When I see a goat in the back of a pickup truck I am encouraged that there is still some "rural" left in Modesto (but I do remember when the intersection ahead was a one-direction stop sign).