Bob Curtis, the board’s director of agricultural affairs, called the handbook “a wonderful example of the benefits of ongoing support to Extension programs and California almonds.”

In the handbook, Pope and Fulton wrote that proper irrigation management “may be one of the most complicated, dynamic aspects of young orchard management.” That’s because as trees grow, canopy size and water needs change, not just from year to year, but also within a season.

At the new orchard workshop, Blake Sanden, UCCE irrigation advisor at Kern County, said the key to proper soil moisture is to get water into the soil, make it uniform, get the right timing, and get the right amount. He pointed out that, due to the size of the root ball, first leaf trees may only access about 50 percent of the applied water.

Joe Connell, UCCE farm advisor Emeritus with Butte County, discussed pruning and training almond trees in the first five years to maximize production and minimize pruning costs. He said it is important to use tree wraps to keep herbicides off the bark of young trees and to keep rabbits and other critters at bay, plus protect the tree against sunburn.

Joe Grant, UCCE farm advisor with San Joaquin County, talked of the pros and cons of cover crops. He recommended Googling cover crops and calling upon seed dealers that specialize in them.

Advantages of cover crops can include improved water penetration, removal of excess water, allowing winter and spring access for machinery, curtailing runoff and erosion, weed and dust suppression, and providing habitat for beneficial insects.

On the down side, cover crops may use water that trees need, can increase the risk of frost, can become a habitat for nematodes and rodents, and may interfere with Navel orangeworm sanitation and pruning.

Dani Lightle, UCCE orchard systems advisor for Glenn, Butte, and Tehama counties, discussed threats posed by the peach twig borer pest in young orchards. She recommended sprays of pesticides in the first leaf if there are more than four shoot strikes.

She advised against pruning prior to rains and avoiding large cuts when unnecessary since the cuts can become entry points for pest infestation.

Brad Hanson, UC weed specialist, said keeping weeds at bay in a new orchard is particularly critical.

“The crop is less competitive with weeds, and there is greater sensitivity to weed competition,” he said, adding that there is also greater sensitivity on the part of young nut trees to sprays used for weed control. Moreover, there are fewer herbicides registered on new plantings.

“Think about orchard weeds before planting a new orchard,” Hanson said. Eradication prior to planting can give the nut trees a good head start.