Test PB Collection: FTE

An aggravating misnomer in the irrigation industry is the labeling of irrigation systems that have emitters with outputs of 5,10,15, etc. gallons per hour as low-volume. In fact these are low-flow emitters, and as a result of being low-flow they are much more prone to clogging.

Many of the citrus and avocado orchards near the foothills of Ventura and Orange counties are damaged by root disease and excessive wetness from hillside seepage. The damage is most severe during wet years or when the adjacent hills are excessively irrigated.

Determining the water requirements of plants falls into three broad categories of technology - plant-based, soil-based and weather-based. Many of these technologies are proven and have been in use for years. Others are more experimental and have not been tested fully.

Saline Waters - A Growing Problem All waters, even rainwater, have some salts dissolved in them, so all could be called saline. The term saline is restricted to waters with concentrations that could cause harm to plants or people. Seawater is highly saline, many wells are moderately saline.

Avocado operations calendar for Ventura County Evaluating New Products...

...

Evaluating claims of new products that could potentially improve yield and tree health is a daunting task.

In areas with prevailing winds almost daily, windbreaks will help to increase bee activity and therefore increase fruit set. They will also help to reduce fruit drop during the strong "east winds" which often occur during the fall months.

There has been quite a bit of discussion and research done on the mulching of citrus and avocado trees. Mulching is the practice of applying to the soil surface any material such as paper, plastic, rocks, chipped yardwaste, etc. that will affect the soil beneficially.

Mulch is the word used to describe a layer of material, such as straw, grass clippings, leavers or paper, which has been spread over the garden soil. Mulch is most often used to reduce weed growth and to keep the soil moist.