The Vine Mealybug is a serious grape vine pest that can cause significant damage to grapevines. These bugs damage grapevines by sucking juices from the plant, which can lead to stunted growth and decreased crop yield. They’re easy to identify because they leave behind white mealy “honeydew” on leaves and […]

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 […]

  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 […]

There are two kinds of scales (a small insect) that settle on citrus trees in California, causing damage to fruit, leaves, and even the trees themselves. These are the California red scale (Aonidiella aurantii) and yellow scale (Aonidiella citrina). Currently, the California red scale or citrus red scale is a […]

Who doesn’t love biting into the soft, juicy flesh of a fresh plum? These early to late summer favorites make the perfect snack for picnics in the park, delicious plum pies, prunes, and prune juice for year-round enjoyment. In 2014, fresh plum crops in California were worth $68,475,000 without counting […]

If you call California home, you’ve no doubt been affected by the tragic and often terrifying forest fires that have been sweeping over the state over the last few years. These fires can be devastating to everything from the natural environment to property values, and they’re not going away anytime […]