Crop Report: May 3rd, 2021
Tomatoes
Conventionals – Transplanting continues. Early plantings and mid-season plantings continue to look good as warm weather has been ideal for plant growth.
San Marzano Style – Plants continue to grow and are progressing nicely.
Organics – Plants continue to grow and are maturing as expected. Full bloom is projected for end of this week/early next week.
Peaches
Organics – Growers continue to thin orchards. All normal cultural practices and crop protection continue.
Conventionals – Growers have started thinning Extra Early varieties as well as some Early varieties. Fruit is making good progress with the warmer weather conditions. Some growers in the north did receive light rainfall with no damage or concern to the orchards. There is still some smaller fruit that is expected to self-terminate which will help orchards even out fruit of mixed maturity. All normal cultural practices & crop protection continue.
Pears
Fruit continues to grow and gain size. Temperatures have been above average this year. Fruit sloughing is beginning to occur. This is the trees’ form of natural selection where smaller fruit falls to allow it to dedicate all of its energy and resources on the strongest fruit for harvest. All normal cultural practices and crop protections continue.
Grapes
Bunch counts look good. Growers will begin thinning vineyards as needed in the south. All normal cultural practices and crop protections continue. Growers are irrigating as needed as the temperatures increase.
Cherries
Cherry orchards are past their bloom period. Areas that experienced frost last month are showing signs of damage. All other orchards that did not experience frost look good. Crop continues to grow and is progressing as expected. All cultural practices and crop protection continue as needed.
Apricots
Crop potential continues to look promising. Five pound samples will be taken early next week to determine fruit sizing. Warmer temperatures in the forecast will continue to help fruit development. All cultural practices and crop protection continue as needed.