Podcast

Growing the Valley

Government, Natural Sciences, Science

This is a podcast that goes over new research and basic information about growing orchard crops in the Central Valley of California

Natural Sciences chart
#140
Episodes
93
Releases
Weekly
Typical length
26 min
On air since
2022
Latest episode
2 weeks ago

Episodes

93 episodes, newest first

  1. Impact of sheep grazing on nut mummies in orchards

    Episode 309

    Show notes

    Winter sanitation is the foundation of navel orangeworm control, however orchard access can be difficult, particularly in wet winters. Houston Wilson, entomology specialist at UC Riverside, is part of a multidisciplinary team looking at sheep grazing in orchards. He has been looking at whether sheep eat mummy nuts, and how well they do it.

    Episode transcript

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner, and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

    Follow us on Twitter! @SacOrchards and @SJVtandv

    Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music.

    37 min
  2. Alejandro Hernandez on phytophthora in pistachios

    Episode 308

    Show notes

    Phytophthora infections have become more common in pistachio. Alejandro Hernandez covers the biology of this disease, as well as his research on rootstock susceptibility and the efficacy of new fungicides. Please note that some of these fungicides are not registered for use in pistachio.

    Episode transcript

    Mention of a pesticide does not constitute a pesticide recommendation, and mention of specific trade names does not constitute an endorsement. Always follow the pesticide label. Find out more at http://ipm.ucanr.edu/

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner, and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

    Follow us on Twitter! @SacOrchards and @SJVtandv

    Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music.

    39 min
  3. ACC research in olives with Becky Wheeler-Dykes

    Episode 307

    Show notes

    Fruit removal is a serious issue in table olive production, namely because the fruit are harvested before they are ripe. ACC, an ethylene precursor, has the potential to improve fruit removal (please note that the commercial product is not registered in olives yet and cannot legally be used).

    Becky Wheeler-Dykes, an advisor in Glenn, Colusa, and Tehama Counties, has been examining its efficacy in olives with a team of researchers at UC Davis. She shares some preliminary, and promising results in this week’s episode.

    Episode transcript

    Mention of a pesticide does not constitute a pesticide recommendation, and mention of specific trade names does not constitute an endorsement. Always follow the pesticide label. Find out more at http://ipm.ucanr.edu/

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner, and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

    Follow us on Twitter! @SacOrchards and @SJVtandv

    Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music.

    24 min
  4. Distribution uniformity return on investment tool

    Episode 306

    Show notes

    Anyone who has an irrigation system knows that it needs to be maintained for peak performance. Anyone who has an irrigation system also knows that almost everything seems to be more important in the moment than flushing those lines or checking pressures. A distribution uniformity test is a good way to assess the health of your irrigation system, but it isn’t always easy to figure out if the cost of making these fixes, particularly big fixes, will pencil out.

    CURES got a grant a few years back to develop a tool to estimate the return on investment for making fixes to a system. Inge Bisconer and Parry Klassen share how the tool works and what spurred them to develop it in this week’s episode.

    Episode transcript

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

    Follow us on Twitter! @SacOrchards and @SJVtandv

    Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music.

    Come to an upcoming extension meeting!

    Sacramento Valley

    The Nickels Field Day is on Tuesday May 19

    San Joaquin Valley (scroll to the bottom)

    36 min
  5. 2026 Prune Fruit Set, GDH30, and Cost of Thinning

    Episode 306

    Show notes

    In 2026 the Sacramento Valley prune industry is experiencing high fruit sets, high GDH 30, and a high cost of fruit thinning because of very diesel prices. Jaime Ott (UCCE Tehama), Domena Agyeman (UCCE Butte), and Franz Niederholzer (UCCE Colusa) break down prune grower crop management considerations given this tricky set of circumstances.

    Upcoming Orchard Meetings:

    The Almond Board of California also has four upcoming IPM meeting, tackling rodents, red leaf blotch, Carpophilus and other pests:

    Bakersfield: Thursday, April 30

    Wednesday, June 16, if you’re an almond variety nerd like me you can’t miss the Almond Board’s Crackout Event at Merced College

    In the Sacramento Valley:

    Nickels Field Day is Tuesday, May 19 in Arbuckle

    I have two almond variety meetings at the Chico State Farm in June. Thursday June 11 and Thursday, June 25th.

    The Third Thursday on July 16 will be in Yuba City and cover Walnut Mold

    The Third Thursday on August 20 will be in Orland and tackle labor economics

    Following a harvest season hiatus, there will be a Third Thursday on November 19 in Yuba City recapping 2026’s IPM challenges and lessons

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

    Follow us on Twitter! @SacOrchards and @SJVtandv

    Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music.

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

    Follow us on Twitter! @SacOrchards and @SJVtandv

    Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music.

    ‍ ‍

    27 min
  6. Last update from the 3rd generation Regional Almond Variety Trial

    Episode 305

    Show notes

    The 3rd Generation RAVT recently wrapped up, and Luke, Phoebe, and Roger sit down one final time to discuss the findings. While the overall results are discussed, they also discuss each of the strengths and weaknesses of the 13 remaining varieties. It’s a long episode, check out the transcript if you are interested in something specific to get the timestamp.

    Episode transcript

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

    Follow us on Twitter! @SacOrchards and @SJVtandv

    Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music.

    Come to an upcoming extension meeting!

    Sacramento Valley

    The Nickels Field Day is on Tuesday May 19

    San Joaquin Valley (scroll to the bottom)

    1 hr 10 min
  7. The effect of pollen on pistachio fruit and polyphenol deposition

    Episode 304

    Show notes

    Giulia Marino and Pat J Brown (both UC Davis) have been examining another potential influence on polyphenol deposition in pistachio: whether the pollen source impacts deposition rates. In this episode, Giulia shares her results, as well as some other unexpected findings from pistachio xenia (the effect of the pollen source on the fruit).

    Episode transcript

    Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music.

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

    21 min
  8. 2026: Earlier Almond Irrigation Start Revisited

    Episode 303

    Show notes

    Dr. Or Sperling (ARO-Volcani) and Zac Ellis (OFI) discuss the exciting 2025 results from their proactive irrigation scheduling application in California almond orchards.

    You can ask questions and provide feedback to the researchers at:

    Or Sperling: orsp@agri.gov.il or +972 52 6278189

    Zac Ellis: Zac.ellis@ofi.com (559) 303-0599

    Maciej Zwieniecki: mzwienie@ucdavis.edu

    Come to an upcoming extension meeting!

    In the San Joaquin Valley:

    UC Cooperative extension has a Regenerative Almond Orchard Field Day on Tuesday, April 21st at the UC Merced Experimental smart farm

    The Almond Board of California also has four upcoming IPM meetings, tackling rodents, red leaf blotch, Carpophilus and other pests:

    Ceres: Wednesday April 22

    Durham: Thursday April 23

    Fresno: Tuesday April 28

    And Bakersfield: Thursday, April 30

    And finally Wednesday, June 16, if you’re an almond variety nerd like me you can’t miss the Almond Board’s Crackout Event at Merced College

    In the Sacramento Valley we have a Third Thursday: Nematode Management in Orchards meeting in Orland on April 16 from 11-1

    Nickels Field Day is Tuesday, May 19 in Arbuckle

    I have two almond variety meetings at the Chico State Farm in June. Thursday June 11 and Thursday, June 25th.

    The Third Thursday on July 16 will be in Yuba City and cover Walnut Mold

    The Third Thursday on August 20 will be in Orland and tackle labor economics

    Following a harvest season hiatus, there will be a Third Thursday on November 19 in Yuba City recapping 2026’s IPM challenges and lessons

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

    Follow us on Twitter! @SacOrchards and @SJVtandv

    Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music.

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

    Follow us on Twitter! @SacOrchards and @SJVtandv

    Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music.

    ‍ ‍

    31 min
  9. Encore: Earlier Irrigation Start in Almond

    Episode 302

    Show notes

    Drs. Or Sperling (ARO-Volcani) and Maciej Zwieniecki (UC Davis) discuss their groundbreaking research on almond irrigation. That research has culminated in an exciting irrigation scheduling application. We also get an overview of almond production in Israel. The UC Davis Carbohydrate Observatory is also referenced.

    Have feedback or questions for the researchers?

    Or Sperling: orsp@agri.gov.il or +972 52 6278189

    Maciej Zwieniecki: mailto:mzwienie@ucdavis.edu

    Zac Ellis (Olam): Zac.ellis@ofi.com (559) 303-0599

    Come to an upcoming extension meeting!

    In the San Joaquin Valley: Tomorrow Tuesday April 7 there is an Almond Board of California listening session in Modesto on Cornucopia Way at 8:30 AM

    UC Cooperative extension has a Regenerative Almond Orchard Field Day on Tuesday, April 21st at the UC Merced Experimental smart farm

    The Almond Board of California also has four upcoming IPM meetings, tackling rodents, red leaf blotch, Carpohilus and other pests:

    Ceres: Wednesday April 22

    Durham: Thursday April 23

    Fresno: Tuesday April 28

    And Bakersfield: Thursday, April 30

    And finally Wednesday, June 16, if you’re an almond variety nerd like me you can’t miss the Almond Board’s Crackout Event at Merced College

    In the Sacramento Valley we have a Third Thursday: Nematode Management in Orchards meeting in Orland on April 16 from 11-1

    Nickels Field Day is Tuesday, May 19 in Arbuckle

    I have two almond variety meetings at the Chico State Farm in June. Thursday June 11 and Thursday, June 25th.

    The Third Thursday on July 16 will be in Yuba City and cover Walnut Mold

    The Third Thursday on August 20 will be in Orland and tackle labor economics

    Following a harvest season hiatus, there will be a Third Thursday on November 19 in Yuba City recapping 2026’s IPM challenges and lessons

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

    Follow us on Twitter! @SacOrchards and @SJVtandv

    Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music.

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

    Follow us on Twitter! @SacOrchards and @SJVtandv

    Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music.

    ‍ ‍

    51 min
  10. Polyphenol deposition in pistachios

    Episode 301

    Show notes

    Polyphenol deposition in pistachio kernels, also known as internal kernel discoloration, is a harmless phenotype of pistachios, where dark coloration appears on the internal surface of the pistachio cotyledons (the two halves of the kernel). It started showing up widely in the late 2010s/early 2020s, and researchers Georgia Drakakaki, Phoebe Gordon, and Minmin Wang have been investigating it from different angles (Phoebe from the field perspective; Georgia and Minmin from the anatomical and physiochemical perspective). In this episode, they share some initial results. We still don’t know what truly causes it, but we have some answers to basic questions.

    Episode transcript

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

    Follow us on Twitter! @SacOrchards and @SJVtandv

    Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music.

    Come to an upcoming extension meeting!

    Sacramento Valley

    And the Nickels Field Day is on Tuesday May 19

    San Joaquin Valley (scroll to the bottom)

    32 min
  11. The benefits of applying almond hulls and shells as mulch in orchards

    Episode 299

    Show notes

    Almond production creates a lot of byproduct. While there are some alternative uses for almond hulls and shells, like livestock feed and bedding, there is still not enough demand to utilize all the biomass created every year. Some growers have been accepting almond hulls and shells from processors to help them get rid of these stockpiles, and using them as mulch in orchards. Ellie Andrews examined how using hulls and shells benefits almond orchards, including their potential as potassium fertilizer, and how they affect soil health.

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

    Follow us on Twitter! @SacOrchards and @SJVtandv

    Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music.

    Come to an upcoming extension meeting!

    Sacramento Valley

    The 2026 North Sac Valley Olive Day is on Tuesday March 24

    And the Nickels Field Day is on Tuesday May 19

    San Joaquin Valley (scroll to the bottom)

    Madera/Merced Pistachio Day is on Wednesday March 18

    39 min
  12. Red Leaf Blotch (2026)

    Episode 298

    Show notes

    Today on the podcast we’ll be discussing Red Leaf Blotch a new invasive disease in California almond production. I want to offer my sincere apologies to listeners and to the Trouillas Lab for not getting this episode out promptly for maximum usefulness in the 2026 season. Although we are still in the red leaf blotch susceptibility window at the time of podcast airing – there’s not currently any rain in the forecast.

    Disease management

    The disease has a long latent period of 35 to 40 days, so by the time symptoms are visible, the infection window has long passed. This makes early, preventive management the key to controlling the disease. Based on 2025 field trials and growers’ experience in Spain, a three-spray program is recommended for orchards at risk. The first spray should be applied at petal fall (young leaflet emergence), followed by a second application two to three weeks later, and a third spray five to six weeks after petal fall if wet weather continues. These timings coincide with elevated inoculum levels of P. amygdalinum in orchards and a period of high leaf susceptibility to RLB. Similar timings for fungicide applications are used to manage other spring diseases like scab, shot hole, rust, and anthracnose, highlighting the need for an integrated approach to disease management in almond orchards.

    Research trials in 2025 indicated that the most effective products to control RLB included various mixed fungicides with FRAC groups 3 + 7 (e.g. difenoconazole + pydiflumetofen); 3 + 11 (e.g. difenoconazole + azoxystrobin or tebucnonazole + tryfloxystrobin); 7 + 11 (e.g. fluopyram + trifloxystrobin, fluxapyroxad + pyraclostrobin, or boscalid + pyraclostrobin); 7 + 12 (adepidyn + fludioxonil), and FRAC 3-triazoles (metconazole or flutriafol). Growers are advised to rotate modes of action and follow all resistance management and product label guidelines to prevent product failure over time. Cultural practices, focused on eliminating the primary inoculum of infected fallen leaves, also can help mitigate the disease. These consist of removing leaf litter or applying urea to accelerate its decomposition. However, such strategies are only effective when applied over a wide area. Fungicides applied during bloom and after symptoms are visible are not effective.

    2025 Fungicides, Bactericides, Biocontrols, and Natural Products for Deciduous Tree Fruit and Nut, Citrus, Strawberry, and Vine Crops in California

    Mention of a pesticide does not constitute a pesticide recommendation, merely the sharing of research results. Consult your PCA and read the pesticide label. The label is law.

    ‍ ‍

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

    Follow us on Twitter! @SacOrchards and @SJVtandv

    Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music.

    Come to an upcoming extension meeting!

    Sacramento Valley

    Rice Production Workshop on March 18–19 at Lundberg Family Farms

    The 2026 North Sac Valley Olive Day is on Tuesday March 24

    And the Nickels Field Day is on Tuesday May 19

    San Joaquin Valley (scroll to the bottom)

    Madera/Merced Pistachio Day is on Wednesday March 18

    ‍ ‍

    ‍ ‍

    26 min
  13. Boron fertilization of olives

    Episode 297

    Show notes

    Like many fruiting orchard crops, olives benefit from boron fertilization. Elizabeth Fichtner (UCCE Tulare County) goes over how olives benefit from fertilization, as well as how to manage boron in olive orchards.

    Episode transcript

    You can sign up for the Rice Production Workshop here. Find out more about upcoming meetings in the San Joaquin Valley (scroll to the bottom) and the Sacramento Valley.

    Mention of pesticide use does not constitute a pesticide recommendation. Always follow the pesticide label. Find out more at http://ipm.ucanr.edu/.

    Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music.

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

    14 min
  14. Pistachio hull split - how does it happen and why does it change across years?

    Episode 297

    Show notes

    The pistachio hull is critical for protecting the kernel. Insect pests can’t get through it until it begins to break down. However, it is known that hull integrity can change across years - some years hulls stay intact until harvest, and in other years it begins to break down earlier. Shuxiao Zhang, who used to be a student at UC Davis and is now working as a postdoctoral scholar at Stanford, and Georgia Drakakaki, a professor of plant sciences at UC Davis, decided to look into this. They were able to figure out the processes that led to hull degradation, the different ways degradation occur, and they were able to link in-field conditions to hull split. The Drakakaki lab has been doing extensive research into pistachio fruit development - Phoebe has interviewed the both of them on pistachio shell split in a previous episode.

    Podcast transcript

    You can sign up for the Rice Production Workshop here. Find out more about upcoming meetings in the San Joaquin Valley (scroll to the bottom) and the Sacramento Valley.

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

    Follow us on Twitter! @SacOrchards and @SJVtandv

    Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music.

    26 min
  15. Leslie Holland on Botryosphaeria in Almonds

    Episode 295

    Show notes

    Leslie Holland, Assistant Professor at University of Wisconsin, Madison, shares the results of some of her work examining fungicides to suppress Botryosphaeria infections in almond pruning wounds as a Ph.D. student at UC Davis. Leslie shares what works, as well as the key tip to dealing with fungal infections in orchard crops: preventing the infection from occurring in the first place.

    Podcast transcript

    Mention of pesticide use does not constitute a pesticide recommendation. Always follow the pesticide label. Find out more at http://ipm.ucanr.edu/.

    Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music.

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

    19 min
  16. Pistachio pollination biology and artificial pollination

    Episode 294

    Show notes

    Phoebe sits down with Elizabeth Fichtner to discuss the biology of pistachio bloom, how it impacts orchard design, and why picking the correct male pollinator is so important. She also goes over the research on artificial pollination of pistachio and why it may only be useful in very specific circumstances. In this episode, Elizabeth mentions that dust can cause parthenocarpy in pistachios; we posted an episode on this a few years ago.

    Episode transcript

    Find out more about upcoming meetings in the San Joaquin Valley (scroll to the bottom) and the Sacramento Valley!

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

    Follow us on Twitter! @SacOrchards and @SJVtandv

    Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music.

    19 min
  17. Water use in cover cropped orchards with Kosana Suvocarev

    Episode 293

    Show notes

    One concern about growing cover crops is that they might compete with the orchard for water. This is an additional concern if you let cover crops continue to grow after bloom. Kosana Suvocarev (UC Davis) has been looking into this and has found some surprising results.

    Podcast transcript

    Find out more about upcoming meetings in the San Joaquin Valley (scroll to the bottom) and the Sacramento Valley!

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

    Follow us on Twitter! @SacOrchards and @SJVtandv

    Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music.

    21 min
  18. 2026 Water Outlook with San Sandovol Solis

    Episode 292

    Show notes

    Phoebe and Sam Sandovol Solis discuss the water outlook for 2026. They also discuss some things that everyone can do to maximize water infiltration. If you are interested in finding out more about groundwater recharge, you should check to see if your orchard block has favorable soil textures and is in a good location for it here. More information on applications for recharge can be found here. Phoebe interviewed two researchers in 2025 about the effects of wildfire smoke on orchards, which you may be interested in if 2026 ends up being a bad fire year (fingers crossed this isn’t the case!)

    Episode transcript

    Find out more about upcoming meetings in the San Joaquin Valley (scroll to the bottom) and the Sacramento Valley!

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

    Follow us on Twitter! @SacOrchards and @SJVtandv

    Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music.

    19 min
  19. Self-Fertile Nonpareil: Sierra Gold (2025)

    Episode 291

    Show notes

    Self-fertile Nonpareil has the potential to be a gamechanger for California almond growers. Both Sierra Gold Nursery (FruitionOne™) and Burchell Nursery (Nonpareil SC+) announced in late 2024 their partnerships with biotech companies to develop a self-fertile Nonpareil. Both nurseries plan to begin delivering these trees to growers in 2027. However, many questions remain. In this episode Reid Robinson CEO of Sierra Gold Nursery discusses the development and future for FruitionOne™. You can learn more at: https://www.ohalo.com/fruitionone and contact Sierra Gold at: https://www.sierragoldtrees.com/contact

    This episode does not constitute an endorsement, merely the sharing of an industry advancement that will be the subject of independent evaluation by the University of California Cooperative Extension in the years to come.

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

    Follow us on Twitter! @SacOrchards and @SJVtandv

    Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music.

    26 min
  20. Self-Fertile Nonpareil: Burchell (2025)

    Episode 290

    Show notes

    Self-fertile Nonpareil has the potential to be a gamechanger for California almond growers. Both Sierra Gold Nursery (FruitionOne™) and Burchell Nursery (Nonpareil SC+) announced in late 2024 their partnerships with biotech companies to develop a self-fertile Nonpareil. Both nurseries plan to begin delivering these trees to growers in 2027. However, many questions remain. In this episode Tom Burchell owner of Burchell Nursery discusses the development and future for Nonpareil SC+. You can learn more at: https://www.burchellbreeding.com/

    This episode does not constitute an endorsement, merely the sharing of an industry advancement that will be the subject of independent evaluation by the University of California Cooperative Extension in the years to come.

    The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

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    Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music.

    15 min