IN YOUR ORCHARD
THE BEE BOX
Cover Crops in a Dry Climate: Are They Worth the Water? In California’s dry climate, farmers are often left with a difficult question to answer: are cover crops worth the water ? Despite atmospheric rivers, early spring rains and tropical storms dropping large amounts of water across the state this year, water conservation remains a top priority for California’s farmers, especially those in more drought-prone parts of the state. With the last two years being some of the driest on record, there is good reason to be water-wise and to plant with care. Why Use Water for Cover Crops? Establishing and managing cover crops in California information on water use and helpful guidelines for growing a successful cover crop stand, even in a dry environment.
almonds has been proven to add a host of benefits to your orchard system. An effective cover crop system can sustain viable yields while supporting water quality and soil health, reducing inputs, and promoting biodiversity. Compared to bare soils, cover cropping in orchard alleys can reduce runoff and erosion, enhance infiltration, and even contribute to water conservation goals.² Flowering blooms in almond orchards also provide much needed forage and habitat for pollinators and other beneficial species. Having forage already established and available for bees when they arrive in your orchard helps to sustain and grow healthy bee colonies. More bees mean improved pollination services!
The Short Answer: Yes! It is absolutely possible, and even worthwhile, to add cover crops to your orchard system even in a dry climate. Project Apis m .’s (PAm.) Seeds for Bees ™ program provides free seeds and technical assistance to farmers across California who wish to establish cover crops in their field and orchards. Seeds for Bees ™ has partnered with Blue Diamond on the USDA Climate Smart Grant to support Blue Diamond growers to plant cover crops in their orchards. Whether your region gets 5 inches or 35 inches of annual rainfall, we want to help you get the most out of your cover crop planting. A recent study from University of California Agricultural and Natural Resources (UC ANR) researchers suggest that growers who adopt winter cover crops in the Central Valley “can benefit from soil health advantages associated with winter cover cropping with minimal water use…and without having to change their spring-summer irrigation plans and water management decisions.”¹ Cover crops can provide enhanced ecosystem benefits, reduce inputs, and contribute to increased soil quality and conditions. The associated benefits and services from cover crops are certainly worth considering. Researchers also state that “winter cover crops in the Central Valley may break even in terms of actual consumptive water use.”¹ If water availability is a concern for your operation, this article provides some general
Blooming cover crops benefit both beekeepers and growers by providing better nutrition for bees, increasing the soil’s water-holding capacity by adding organic matter, increasing water infiltration, reducing erosion, and providing natural weed control. Photo credit: Project Apis m
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ALMOND FACTS
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