Frost damage can become a problem when cold temperatures occur suddenly in spring and autumn — killing shoots, buds, flowers, and bark and giving them a scorched appearance. Fortunately, new growth usually comes through by summer to replace the frost-damaged plant tissues. Here are some facts about frost damage and […]

There are numerous challenges facing the agriculture and horticulture industries today, many of which are a direct result of industrial activity and climate change. Unsurprisingly, the things that put more stress on humans — more extreme temperatures, increasing amounts of radiation, heavy metals, soil salinity, and pollution — put more […]

We often think of plants as helping us raise our own immunity against common viruses like cold and flu. However, plants can be infected with diseases, too. While the study of plant viruses is fairly recent, infectious plant diseases have been around for some time. Read on to learn more […]

The cool, damp climate conditions throughout winter provide the perfect backdrop for cups of tea and home-baked goods. Unfortunately, these conditions also provide the perfect breeding ground for gray mold to form on crops as well as harvested produce. Visible as brown spots and then as a fuzzy gray coating […]

The California Department of Food and Agriculture, in partnership with the California Fresh Fruit Association, local counties, and others, have initiated the Healthy Harvest program to support food workers at every level of the supply chain in staying well and keeping others well during the COVID-19 pandemic. Discover the highlights […]

The opening of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 marked an important turning point in California’s agricultural history — large quantities of fresh citrus, berries, tree-fruits, and tree-nuts could now be transported from the center of production on the west coast to the bustling cities on the east coast. As growers […]

Of all of the nuts on supermarket shelves, pistachios are probably the most fun to eat. Merely sitting down with a packet of in-shell pistachios is enough to help you feel more relaxed — shelling and eating pistachios is a great activity to enjoy with friends, too! In California, we […]

As a grower, you know how important it is to be paid promptly for your produce. You have workers to pay, supplies to purchase, and machinery and facilities to maintain. Usually, buyers have 10 days from the date of receipt of produce to pay for the goods “promptly” and up […]

Since the beginning of the 20th century, vegetable and fruit agriculture has been heading in the direction of homogenization — with the arrival of genetically-modified varieties in 1973 only accelerating the process. However, customer demand for healthy restaurant menus has begun to turn the tide in the opposite direction with […]

In the year 1769, Father Junipero Serra planted the first citrus seeds while building the California missions. Little did he know that he would become part of the history of California’s booming fruit industry — an industry that now earns California over $1 billion per year. Discover the humble beginnings […]