The latest California Crop Weather report from the Sacramento, Calif. Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, released July 11.

Weather

Dominate high pressure was anchored over California the week of July 4.

The high pressure created very hot daytime high temperatures in the Central Valley. Highs ranged from 100 degrees to 106 degrees near Bakersfield Monday through Wednesday. It was very hot in the desert region with temperatures from 100 to 112 degrees near Blythe.

This is a typical weather pattern for July in the Golden State. No heat records were broken. The coasts remained relatively cool with daytime highs in the 60s to middle 80s all week especially in the southern California region. The mountain temperatures were in the 80s throughout the state.

On Thursday, the heat began to abate in the Central Valley with highs dipping slightly into the 90s due to a weak trough passing to the north of California.

The one significant weather element occurred Tuesday and Wednesday with rain in the southern California deserts from monsoonal moisture from the Gulf of California. Rain was heavy at times especially near Blythe where 1.63 inches of rain was recorded Wednesday morning.

Field crops

More than three-quarters of the winter wheat crop was harvested across California. Other small grain crop harvests progressed well.

Cotton producers cultivated, irrigated, and applied miticide in fields as needed. Rice fields received weed treatments.

Alfalfa producers started harvesting the second to fourth cutting and some producers had to spray insects.

Sugarbeet producers started to chop the beet tops in preparation for harvest. Garbanzo beans were drying down in preparation for harvest. Corn continued to develop.

Fruit crops

The Valencia orange and grapefruit harvests continued as the late Navel orange harvest was completed. Lemons were picked along the southern coast.

The strawberry harvest was ongoing as the blueberry harvest slowed down.

Grape vineyards across the state were thinned and sprayed to treat mildew and for the European grapevine moth.

The peach, nectarine, and plum harvests continued as the apricot harvest was finished. Apples, kiwis, and pomegranates grew well.

Nut crops

Almonds developed well as growers planned hull split sprays. Fungicides will be included in some sprays due to the unexpected appearance of rust in many almond orchards.

There was also good development in walnut, pistachio, and pecan orchards as overall pest activity was limited. Codling moth, weed control, and fungus treatments were ongoing in walnut orchards.

Vegetable crops

Kern County reported carrot, garlic, onion, watermelon, and cantaloupe harvests.

In Fresno County, dehydrator onions and carrots were prepared for harvest while the garlic and onion harvests started. Processing tomatoes matured well and showed fruit. Bell pepper and fresh market tomato fields were in bloom. The asparagus harvest was complete.

Beets, choys, chards, kales, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, daikon, eggplant, fava beans, green onions, green and yellow beans, herbs, lemon grass, spinach, squash, turnips, and zucchini were harvested.

Melon crops were delayed due to the unseasonably cool temperatures. Field activities included weed removal, pre-irrigation, soil fumigation, and bed shaping.

Merced County reported continued cantaloupe, honeydew, and market and processing tomato planting, market tomato harvest, and bell pepper harvest.

San Joaquin County reported onion harvests and tomato weeding. Sutter County reported field work and ground preparation.