Crop Progress Report – March 9, 2026

This report covers the conditions and activities observed from March 2 to March 8, 2026. The next update will be posted on Monday, March 30, 2026

The 2026 almond bloom concluded this week. The weather in all growing regions was mild, with daytime temperatures peaking in the high 60’s to mid 70’s while overnight lows settled mostly in the mid 30’s to lower 40’s. Bees were enjoying the sunny or partially cloudy skies and were out in force working whatever bloom they could still find.

Orchard color rapidly shifted from the white of blooming flowers to the green of leaf growth during this period with almost no bloom left in any orchards. Interestingly, this year, Independence had probably the longest bloom period. It was among the first of the varieties to bloom and hung on to be one of the last varieties blooming during this week along with the Butte and Padre. Most varieties are now well into the jacket and nutlet stages.

Going forward, focus will shift to assessing nut sets, with particular attention being given to the size of the nuts developing on the trees. The trees will soon shed the smallest and some of the mid-sized nuts in development and will hold on to more of the larger nuts. This can give the earliest indications of crop size for the upcoming harvest.

Beekeepers are busy again this week, moving hives out of orchards. As they are removed, growers are applying post-bloom treatments to prevent development of fungal diseases. Additionally, growers are also setting traps within the orchards to monitor lifecycle development of significant insect pests.

By: Anthony Scudder, Regional Manager

Photo Credits: Kenny Miyamoto, Carla Youngblood, Nicole Jansen, Ashley Correia, KC Clendenin, Christine Ivory, Austin Jackson and Mel Machado