Sacramento, Calif., (November 21, 2017) – Temperatures across the State last week were typical for the fall season. The State received its first significant precipitation for fall and winter season. The cold front brought over 1.5 inches of precipitation to parts of the north of the State. Most weather stations in northern California reported over 0.25 inches of precipitation. After a brief reprieve, a second wave of moisture and snow hit the northern part of the State. The storm lingered over the Sierras as it moved south before the week ended with clear skies after some localized morning fog in the wet valleys.
Temperature highs were in the 50s to 60s in the mountains, 60s to 70s in the valley, 60s to 80 along the coast, and 70s to 80s in the desert. Temperature lows were in the 10s to 20s in the mountains, 20s to 40s in the desert, 30s to 40s in the valley, and 30s to 50s along the coast.
Cotton near competition. Early plantings of small grains had germinated and showed good emergence. Growers continued to prepare more fields for fall planting of wheat, barley, and oats. Alfalfa for hay production was finishing up with the last cuts of the season and growers windrowed, baled and stacked the hay. The fields received herbicide treatments. Corn, milo, and sorghum continued to be harvested for green chop. Silage corn grew well and harvesting was ongoing. Cotton fields were defoliated and harvesting was in full swing. Black-eyed beans were being harvested and processed. Most summer crops have been harvested, and fields were being prepared for winter planting.
Apple harvest was slowing down. Pruning continued in some stone fruit orchards. Old orchards were removed and prepared for replanting. Table grape harvest was almost complete. Quince, pears, pomegranates, kiwifruit, and persimmons were harvested. Olive groves were pruned. Early Navel orange harvest was underway. Lemon, grapefruit and pomelos were harvested. Tangerine harvest was underway. Mandarin harvest in the Sierra foothills began.
Almond harvest was complete. Orchard pruning and planting of new orchards was ongoing. Walnut harvest was wrapping up for the year.
Fall vegetables were being harvested. Acorn and Spaghetti squash, turnips, beets, yams, kale, cauliflower, carrots, cabbage, broccoli, and snow peas were available now at the local Farmers’ Markets. Strawberries continued to grow at roadside stands. Harvest continued for green beans, cucumbers, daikon, eggplant, yellow bell peppers and tomatoes. Also, beds for tomatoes and onions were being prepared for new planting and onions harvest was completed and the harvested fields were cultivated. Melon harvest was near completion. Garlic harvest was complete. New garlic crops were being planted. Weed control was ongoing on organic garlic. New fresh market onions were being treated for worms. Organic cantaloupe harvest ended. Organic broccoli, celery and spinach fields were growing nicely. Head, leaf, and romaine lettuce for the fall season grew nicely with many fields starting to be harvested.
Non-irrigated and foothill rangeland forage was primarily in poor to very poor condition. Recent rains will stimulate germination of range grasses. Supplemental feeding of cattle was ongoing. Sheep grazed on harvested alfalfa and grain fields.
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