In 2018, an outbreak of Escherichia coli in romaine lettuce was linked to 210 cases of food poisoning, 96 hospitalizations, and 5 deaths. This was a tragic event in itself, but had far-reaching effects on the industry, as consumers became terrified of consuming lettuce. Understanding how E. coli infiltrates vegetables […]
California is the primary producer of spinach in the United States, with the main hotspot located in the Salinas Valley on California’s Central Coast. For growers who specialize in green leaves and vegetables, new seed varieties could offer a competitive edge in growing leafy greens while increasing resistance to pests […]
Grape productivity is typically measured by grape yield per acre, expressed in tons. And while it’s not always possible to predict the exact yield you’ll produce each year, there are several things you can do to optimize grape production and ensure a crop of healthy grapes. How Many Grapes […]
Aphids… Those sticky little green critters that bug commercial growers and home gardeners whenever there’s a green leafy plant in sight. Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to get on top of aphids and even prevent an infestation. Here are the University of California’s top tips for integrated aphid […]
Broadleaf weeds compete with spinach in the field and make machine-harvesting next to impossible. Whether you grow spinach for the fresh or processed/frozen market, you’ll need to address the issue of broadleaf weeds as part of your spinach plant care plan. Here, we’ll describe the kinds of weeds to look […]
Orchard equipment has evolved a lot over the past hundred years from the Baby Caterpillar “18” crawler of 1914 to the robot harvesters being developed today. As always, each piece of equipment has been developed to solve a specific problem or to suit a specific orchard setup. Here are eight […]
We often don’t think of marketing as something that’s necessary for edible produce. After all, doesn’t a crate of ripe, creamy avocados entice customers all on its own? The reality that we’ve seen this year is that marketing California avocados really does increase sales. Here are some key facts on […]
17 years ago in 2004, “Brood X” of cicadas (named for the number 10 in Latin) spent a busy few weeks mating, then the nymphs headed underground to feed and grow — until now. In May 2021, the matured nymphs are expected to make a reappearance that will primarily take […]
There are several kinds of lemon tree problems that are common in California. Fortunately, many of them can be prevented through the cultivation of the soil and attention to climatic conditions. Read on to learn about four potential lemon tree problems and what to do about them. Waterlogged Roots In […]
Whether you’re an organic or conventional orchardist — or anything in between — you need to know about the weeds that can harm your orchard and the various strategies for dealing with them before they take over. The best weed control strategy begins with knowing your weeds — the species, […]
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