By John Wood, Certis USA Regional Manager 

Most of this season’s nuts may be harvested, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to relax. We must now prepare orchards for winter so they deliver a profitable crop next season. Here are post-harvest practices to put on your task list.

Finish weed surveys

I mentioned the importance of weed surveys earlier. If you have already completed them, continue to monitor for weeds on the orchard floor. It will help you fine-tune your weed control program next season. UC-IPM has a weed survey form available at http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/C003/almond-fallweed.pdf and UC-Davis has a weed ID tool available at http://weedid.wisc.edu/ca/weedid.php.

Irrigate

Root activity increases immediately post-harvest and continues throughout winter. Irrigate with proper nutrition to ensure trees go through winter in optimal condition to meet the demands next season’s emergence will bring.

Apply MeloCon^® WG

As you deliver nutrients, apply the nematicide MeloCon^® WG. It helps control nematodes for up to 30 days once it enters the soil profile. MeloCon is a biological nematicide that contains a naturally occurring fungus, Paecilomyces lilacinus. It is an effective nematode parasite for the control of plant parasitic nematodes, with targeted efficacy of eggs and juveniles.  

Apply zinc, potassium and boron, if needed

Consider zinc to ensure shoot growth and to support fruit set. Potassium (K) may be needed if earlier sampling showed deficiency.

Seriously evaluate nitrogen needs

While it is important to ensure there is enough nitrogen available, UC-Davis researchers note that less than 8 percent of the nitrogen need occurs after September. Thus, consider applying fewer pounds per acre now or wait until spring to make a full application.

Clean

Be certain that hullers, dryers and anything that harbors moth larvae be completely cleared of trash nuts. Also sanitize orchards to manage navel orangeworm.

Evaluate stored harvest samples

Sort through your harvest samples to see what type of insect damage may have occurred so you can identify pests and improve next year’s IPM program.

Plan dormant sprays

A dormant spray using Kocide^® 2000 or Kocide^® 3000-O should be made before fall rains and again in the late dormant period. If almond scab is evident, a Kocide with oil spray will help delay overwintering scab lesions from producing spores next spring. In addition, the dormant oil will smother overwintering eggs of some mites and scale.

Also review and select remaining dormant sprays you need to control insect and disease pests.

Ideally, getting these tasks completed will give you extra time to relax as the weather cools. In the next issue we’ll discuss protecting new roots that are storing carbohydrates  for the winter. Until then.