Cover crops grow between rows of a young almond orchard.Growers invited to learn how to manage irrigation and nutrients for young fruit and nut trees

University of California Cooperative Extension is offering workshops in Bakersfield, Fresno and Merced in February and March to help growers manage irrigation and nutrients for young orchards as they mature. 

The workshops will feature presentations by UC Cooperative Extension experts and researchers focusing on irrigation and nutrient management best practices tailored specifically for young nut and fruit orchards in the San Joaquin Valley. 

Growers, certified crop advisers and other agricultural professionals are encouraged to attend the free workshops.

Microsprinklers are used to irrigate a young walnut orchard.

“Growers interested in establishing new or alternative crops are encouraged to join the workshops to learn practical, research-based strategies for optimizing irrigation and nutrient management during orchard establishment and early tree development,” said Moneim Mohamed, UCCE irrigation and soils advisor for Stanislaus, San Joaquin and Merced counties. “Attendees will gain insights into the irrigation and nutrient needs of young orchards – which are different from those for mature orchards – and learn strategies for adjusting these practices as their orchards mature.” 

“By sharing this knowledge, we aim to ensure healthier tree development, more effective use of resources and more resilient orchards in the face of climate change,” Mohamed said. “Workshop attendees also are welcome to request free one-on-one assistance from a UCCE farm advisor.”

In addition to Mohamed, speakers include UCCE advisors Mae Culumber, Tobias Oker, Cameron Zuber, Phoebe Gordon and Raymond Mireles; Giulia Marino, UCCE specialist of UC Davis; and Charles Hillyer, director of the Center for Irrigation Technology at Fresno State.

The Young Orchard Irrigation and Nutrient Management workshops will be held in three locations: 

Bakersfield

Instruments measure the actual evapotranspiration rate in a young walnut orchard.

Wednesday, Feb. 18 (8 a.m.–Noon)
UCCE Kern County, 1031 South Mount Vernon Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93307

Register at https://link.ucanr.edu/BakersfieldWorkshop.

Fresno

Wednesday, Feb. 25 (8 a.m.–Noon)
Center for Irrigation Technology, 5370 North Chestnut Avenue, Fresno, CA 93740     

Register at https://link.ucanr.edu/FresnoWorkshop.

Merced

Wednesday, March 4 (8 a.m.–12:30 p.m.)
UC Merced Conference Center Room 110, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343   

Register at https://link.ucanr.edu/MercedWorkshop. 

The workshops are free and include light refreshments, coffee breaks, lunch and workshop materials along with the presentations. Registration is required. 

These workshops are supported by a Water Efficiency Technical Assistance grant from California Department of Food and Agriculture and sponsored by Almond Board of California, California Pistachio Research Board, Meter Group Inc., AvidWater, and HotSpot AG.