- Author: Bruce A Linquist
As I write this in early April, the weather is shifting back and forth between being warm and cold and there is the occasional rainfall. Many of you have started or are thinking about starting ground work in preparation for planting. With all this going on, I ask you to imagine what it would be like for your farming operations if you could plant a rice field in mid-April. Later this week, we are planning to plant our first research plots on a summer stale-seedbed (fallowed last year and worked in the summer into a seedbed) using a no-till planter. The ground is firm enough to support equipment, we have taken care of our winter weeds and the seed will be planted into moisture. On top of that, we have rain in the forecast for the weekend. Once planted, these rainfall events are helpful.
If the soil is dry, how early one can plant really depends on temperature. Daily average temperature (average of daily minimum and maximum) should be 60oF. Historically, this average falls between April 10 and 15 in the Sacramento Valley. The other consideration if you are planting early is the availability of water. The seeds need to have water to germinate. You cannot always rely on rainfall. Sometimes it may be hard to plant to moisture. In these cases, you need irrigation water. If you have an irrigation pump, you are free to decide when to plant and irrigate your field. If you have to rely on district water, you will be more restricted in your planning.
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
It was all the buzz.
Thousands of bee and honey enthusiasts made a beeline for the California Honey Festival, held last Saturday on the Yolo County Fairgrounds.
The annual festival, relocated this year from the streets of downtown Woodland to the fairgrounds due to a weather forecast cautioning heavy rain and wind, drew scores of smiles beneath the arched umbrellas.
Beekeeper Rick Moehrke, a retired Vacaville teacher, answered questions about bees in the Sacramento Area Beekeepers' Association booth.
American Honey Queen Kaelyn Sumner of Cecil, Wisc., a beekeeper and a senior at Kansas State University discussed queen bees, worker bees and drones. She is majoring in agricultural education and minoring in food science and entomology.
Charles McMaster, a U.S. Army veteran from Copperas Cove, Texas, headed the Hives for Heroes booth. The national non-profit service organization focuses on sustainability, conservation, and providing a healthy transition from service: "Through our national network of beekeepers, we provide connection, purpose, and healthy relationships, through access, resources, and funding for Active Duty, Veterans, and First Responders.">
Steve Hays, retired sheriff's deputy, Sacramento County and founder of Second Chance Beekeeping Reentry Service, chronicled the history of his program and how inmates are learning beekeeping and getting "a second chance." (See news story)
Amina Harris, retired founding director of the UC Davis Honey and Pollination Center and now the "Queen Bee" of her family's Woodland-based Z Food Specialty and The HIVE, offered guests "a taste of honey" from all over California. They also sold honey, including a family favorite, starthistle. Harris co-founded the California Honey Festival in 2017 with the City of Woodland.
Attendees tasted and purchased Hawaiian honey, with such varietals as Eucalyptus, macadamia, mango, Christmas bush, tropical blossom and wildflower, from "Queen Bee" Inna Eyrih, business owner of Hawaiian Honey AT&S, a company based in Hawaii (Keaau) and California.
GATEways horticulturist Rachel Davis of the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden discussed pollinator gardening, focusing on native bees, butterflies, moths, hoverflies, and hummingbirds.
This year's California Honey Festival lived up to its mission: to emphasize the importance of bees and to promote honey and bee products. The annual festival, co-sponsored by UC Davis, features educational presentations, kids' center activities, honey tasting, cooking demonstrations, a beer and mead garden, live music, vendors and more.