SMALL GRAINS AND OTHER FIELD CROPS: Winter grains such as oats, ryegrass, triticale, and wheat are growing well. Winter grain harvest is ramping up with fields being bailed. Winter grain harvest will continue throughout the month of May. Alfalfa crops are growing well. Alfalfa is being mowed, dried and bailed. Corn is being planted with some fields already sprouting. Cotton and tomatoes are being planted.

DECIDUOUS TREE FRUITS, NUTS, AND GRAPES: Stone fruit orchards continue to grow with fruit developing well and thinning of stone fruit continues. Early varieties of stone fruit will be ready for harvest in the coming weeks while early apricot varieties are being harvested. This year’s almond crop continues to develop and increase in size. Walnut, pecan and pistachio orchards are blooming and developing foliage. Cherries continue to darken in color and increase in size. Mylar sheets have been placed under cherry trees to advance coloring. Early varieties of cherries are being harvested. Grape flower buds are present in bunches, but they have yet to start opening. Grape leaves are being picked to increase air flow and light around future bunches of grapes. Kiwi vine flower buds are increasing in size but remain closed. Bee hives remain in and around vineyards in preparation for the coming bloom. Persimmon trees are in bloom and have bright green leaves flushing out. Pomegranates are in bloom with bright red flowers. Pistachios are being exported to Australia, India, Thailand, Norway, Taiwan, Philippines, Mexico, Vietnam, Switzerland, Turkey, European Union, United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates. Almond are being exported to India, Morocco, South Africa, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Belgium and United Arab Emirates. Walnuts are being exported to Germany.

CITRUS, AVOCADOS, AND OLIVES:

• District 1 petal fall – 1:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 23, 2025
• District 2 petal fall – 1:00 a.m., Sunday, April 27, 2025
• District 3 petal fall – 1:00 a.m., Friday, May 2, 2025

Petal fall has been declared, see dates and times above. Navel oranges are being harvested for domestic markets and are being exported to New Zealand, Japan, Australia, Mexico, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Korea. Valencia orange orchards are developing fruit and are being harvested for export to Japan and South America. Lemons are being harvested for domestic markets and exported to Mexico, Korea and Japan. Mandarins are being harvested for domestic markets and exported to Mexico, China, Taiwan, Korea, Peru, Japan, Chile and New Zealand. Blood oranges are being packed for domestic retailers and exports to Mexico. Star Ruby grapefruit are being shipped domestically for markets and exported to Japan, Taiwan and Korea. Tangelos are being packed for domestic markets and exports to Japan and Mexico. Mandarins have been netted to prevent pollination. Bee colonies remain in or near citrus groves for pollination. Olive trees are in bloom with buds continuing to swell.

VEGETABLES, MELONS, HERBS, AND BERRIES: Local roadside stands are harvesting and selling sweet peas, strawberries, garlic, and onions. Mild temperatures during the day and cool nights forecasted for the next week should help keep strawberry plants producing. Some local farmers are harvesting avocados. Blueberry fruit continues to develop, increase in size, and change color. Blueberries are being exported to Taiwan, Japan, Philippines and Vietnam. Blackberry vines are in bloom. Bee colonies have been placed in berry fields to aid in pollination.

LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY: The fed-cattle price is $210/cwt this week. Rangeland is very green and lush but will soon be drying as summer temperatures approach. Irrigated pastures are in good to excellent condition. Non-irrigated pastures are in good condition due to the recent rains. 

TOM’S ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Local nurseries continue to offer many fruit and vegetable plants like tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, squash, onions, bareroot berry plants, artichokes, bareroot plum, peach and cherry trees as well as a large assortment of spring florals and herb starters. Nursery stock continues to move into and out of the county from other parts of the United States and Canada. Cut flowers are being imported from Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Colombia to flower shops in Tulare County. Local wholesale nurseries are continuing to ship large volumes of spring nursery stock to local and out of state retailers. Local wholesale citrus nurseries are shipping citrus trees, graft wood, and seed to local, domestic and international nurseries and to growers in Canada, Bahamas, French Polynesia, Mexico and Egypt. Water has started to flow in some canals throughout the county.