Here is the California Crop Weather Report issued on April 27, by the California field office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Weather

A strong high pressure ridge lay over California resulting in hot and dry weather for the entire state on April 20 and 21. Daytime highs in Northern California were in the 90s, while Southern California saw highs in the 100s.

On Wednesday, a low pressure system pushed through the area, and shifted the flow over Southern California and along the California coast to an onshore component, resulting in significantly cooler temperatures across those areas. The Central Valley remained warm through midweek.

By Thursday, much cooler air had also moved into the Valley, along with clouds and scattered shower activity. Rainfall amounts were generally light, and confined to the northern half of the state and the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Cool weather and isolated mountain showers continued on Saturday. By Sunday, a weak high pressure ridge moved over the state, resulting in a slight warming trend under sunny skies.

Field crops

The cutting of winter forage and other small grains for silage continued. Spring wheat seeding was underway. Winter wheat fields continued to be green chopped in preparation for corn planting.

Corn fields continued to be planted and weed spraying was also underway. Early emerged corn plantings were showing excellent growth with the recent warm weather.

Barley fields were starting to mature. Rice field planting began. Also rice fields were rolled, flooded, and a few fields were planted. The second cutting of alfalfa fields and bailing continued.

Cotton planting was still in progress. Weather in recent weeks caused growers to stop and start planting. The cotton crop looks good. Potatoes continued to be harvested.

Fruit crops

The North Coast experienced excellent pear bloom while vineyards experienced bud break. Warm temperatures caused rapid shoot expansion in early grape varieties.

Three days of record high temperatures caused increased growth and development rates of northern coastal olive trees. Olive trees in the San Joaquin Valley bloomed.

Weed control continued in prune, peach, and nursery stock. Strawberry harvest picked up throughout the state, and fruit quality remained good. Blueberries began to turn color. Cherries matured and were almost ready for harvest in some areas. Fungicides and insecticides were applied in orchards and vineyards. Fruit set was lighter than anticipated for some stone fruit varieties.

Bee hives were moved into citrus locations to make orange honey. Navel orange harvest was mostly complete, however, navels displayed soft fruit and drying as quality slowly declined. Valencia harvest ramped up while Minneola harvest was mostly finished.

Lemon and grapefruit harvests continued as harvest was almost complete for W. Murcott and Honey mandarins. Harvest picked up for Pixie mandarins.

Nut crops

Pistachio trees damaged from the April frost were replanted in the Sacramento Valley. Blight treatments continued in walnut orchards. High temperatures caused increased evapotranspiration rates in orchards causing light stress to some orchards.

Growers monitored soil moisture content throughout the state as well as ants, mites, and navel orangeworms in the San Joaquin Valley. Almonds were sizing normally. Water availability was revised in some areas of the Central Valley.

Vegetable crops

Processing tomato planting continued in Sutter County. Broccoli and spinach were harvested in Stanislaus County while land was prepared for planting tomatoes, beans, and cantaloupes. Lima and freezer bean plantings were expected to start in the upcoming weeks.

Stockton area farmers were harvesting asparagus and planting tomatoes. Merced growers were reportedly planting tomatoes using drip irrigation techniques as high yields resulted from this practice last year. Early planted tomato fields in Fresno were showing their first blooms.

Tulare County growers were planting and preparing vegetable beds. Harvests of squash and zucchini continued. Bakersfield area onions were treated with mildew sprays and for thrips. Melons were growing nicely with some fields treated for aphids and mites. Sweet corn, onions, and carrots were harvested in the Imperial Valley. The melon crop was progressing well.