WCN December 2019

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POSTHARVEST ALMONDS: GETTING READY FOR COLDER WEATHER By CRYSTAL NAY | Contributing Writer THE RUSH OF THE ALMOND HARVEST SEASON IS behind us, and now growers are heading into preparations and maintenance for next season. But, while the trees may slow down for the winter, a grower’s work doesn’t stop. There are a few things that you must remember or consider while the colder months approach. Water, nutrients, and other maintenance are vital to a successful crop next year. Postharvest Criticals Water One of the most important things you can do postharvest is water the trees. As much as possible, the trees need to have adequate moisture, which helps keep the leaves on the tree, barring possible diseases that might cause otherwise. For as much as an orchard needs to have water, it’s also extremely important to be cautious about overwatering. Moving from September and October and into winter weather may mean that trees are using less water, and therefore growers are applying less, but it’s still very important to keep up with irrigation. The goal: to match evapotranspiration (ET) rates. Nutrients There is a variety of nutrients available on the market in either foliar or ground applications. The key to knowing which would be beneficial to your particular orchard is to take samples— from water to soil to tree tissue—and apply only what is absolutely necessary to promote ideal tree health. Too often, time and money is spent on unnecessary nutrient applications. Also keep in mind that there is still the question of bee health with nutrient sprays. Gypsum There are a few nutrient applications from which the trees will really benefit at this time of year. Gypsum is popular, in conjunction with postharvest irrigation, and is used with the intention—and hope—of maximizing the utility of applied water. Boron and Zinc Boron and zinc are other important nutrients to consider, as fall is the best opportunity for their application. If tissue samples show that your orchard is deficient, “The most critical time for boron and zinc is at budbreak,” says Franz Niederholzer, Ph.D, farm advisor with the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE). Unfortunately, many growers miss this vital window by applying these nutrients at bloom. Since boron helps the blossoms to set, it is best to apply the nutrient as a foliar spray and not as a ground application. When boron is applied to the soil, it doesn’t reach the buds quickly enough. Boron is also an inexpensive nutrient that can really boost yield. If there is a lot of rust on the leaves, a strong zinc application can help knock off the infected leaves. Nitrogen General recommendations about nitrogen applications can span the gamut. While some may say that it should be a regular part of postharvest maintenance, others are not fans of the idea of applying nitrogen without really seeing if your orchard is deficient. “If growers see a big deficiency, then they should really consider it. Otherwise, there’s no extension growth,” explains Niederholzer. Nitrogen loads up in the storage cells of the woody tissue of the plant, and fall isn’t the ideal time to do this. In well-managed blocks where the trees are healthy and summer Continued on Page 40 38 West Coast Nut December 2019
PUT YOUR ALMONDS TO BED WITH THE RIGHT NUTRITION. HIGH PHOS Apply High Phos as Part of Your Post Harvest Fertilizer Program. A balanced formulation of essential nutrients containing organic and amino acids to stabilize the nutrients and facilitate their chelation, uptake, translocation and use. For more information visit wrtag.com, or contact Joseph Witzke at (209) 720-8040 December 2019 www.wcngg.com 39
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WCN December 2019

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