IN YOUR ORCHARD
THE BEE BOX Plan Now for Cover Crop Success
As the old adage says, “Proper planning results in better outcomes,” and planning for a cover crop in an almond orchard is no different. The benefits of cover cropping are well documented and include results like improved water infiltration, increased soil water holding capacity and improved soil quality. In most cases, the advantages of including a cover crop in your orchard operation far outweigh the drawbacks.
To qualify, growers need to meet the following criteria: 1. Have and maintain a current contract with Blue Diamond , 2. Be a participant in the Blue Diamond Orchard Stewardship Incentive Program (OSIP) with a completed CASP progress report, and 3. Have an orchard map and associated paperwork from the USDA Farm Service Agency. The details can be found at www.bluediamondgrowers.com. The Seeds for Bees Program® offers subsidized cover crop seed each year. To be notified of our offerings and upcoming application times, subscribe to the Seeds for Bees® Cover Crop Chronicle newsletter www.projectapism.org/sign-up-for-seeds-for-bees-program Just like spraying or irrigating, timing your cover crop planting is critical. Prior planning helps you fit planting into your other post-harvest activities. We advocate planting your cover crop seed as soon after harvest as you can, even into dry soil. The seeds won’t germinate until they get enough moisture, so why wait for the first rain if you have an opportunity to plant before then. For the best results, your cover crop should be planted by Thanksgiving. Generally, the fall rains are what germinates your cover crop seed, but your final post-harvest irrigation could also be used to germinate the seed if it’s planted early enough. We have found that brassica plants that germinate by November 1 consistently result in flowers for honeybee support in February.
The time to start planning for fall cover crop planting is prior to harvest. A little forward thinking in early summer helps avoid the stress of last-minute decisions and delays. Part of your initial planning process should be to outline the soil problems you want to address with a cover crop, whether it is poor water infiltration, aggressive weeds, declining soil function or other issues. Once your problems are identified, you can match the types of cover crop seeds that can best alleviate your issues. Cover crop seed mixes can be tailored to fulfill multiple outcomes, including pollinator support. Once you have determined what cover crop you want, summer is a good time to start sourcing your seed, just like other inputs you will need later. You can purchase seed, often through your regular suppliers, or apply for subsidized cover crop seed. For subsidized seed you’ll need to plan even further ahead, since most application periods begin months
before many growers think about ordering seed and they close before almond harvest. Blue Diamond Growers can experiment with cover crops and get technical support at no cost through the Blue Diamond Growers Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) Grant program. This is an ongoing Federal USDA grant.
42
ALMOND FACTS
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker