- 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: Ben A Faber
Brooks Engelhardt of Natural Resources Conservation Service says:
Greetings,
We have an EQIP-Disaster (for recent storm damage) fund pool open for FSA declared disaster counties, which includes Ventura County. Application deadline is May 24, 2024. It covers irrigation equipment, vehicle access, animal waste structures and forestry improvement.
If you know of anyone interested, please have them contact me.
Brooks Engelhardt
District Conservationist
USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Oxnard, CA
Cell phone: 760-217-9197
Office: 805-609-2959