What's being harvested now?

With Fresno County‘s diverse agriculture, some type of crop is harvested every month.

The winter months are perhaps the slowest time of the year for most Fresno County farmers and ranchers. But with more than 350 different commercial crops produced in the County, there is always some crop -- or two -- that is being harvested.

In January, citrus varieties are the major crops that are being harvested now. The Navel orange harvest is continuing, as well as mandarins and other specialty varieties. Weather-permitting, the Navel harvest will continue into March. The summer-time Valencia oranges continue to mature on the tree. Harvest of this variety typically begins in May.

Winter vegetable crops also are being harvested during January. Broccoli, carrot, cauliflower, cilantro, endive, and radicchio harvests are continuing. Asparagus fields are being prepared for spring. Harvests continue for farmers market crops such as amaranth, basil, beets, collard greens, daikon, dill, donqua, gailon, garlic, kale, kabocha, leeks, lemongrass, mint, mustard greens, onions (green, red, white and yellow), ong choy, opo, parsley, chili peppers, peanuts, radishes, saluyot (okra leaf), winter squashes, swiss chard, tong ho, yam leaf, and a variety of herbs.

Garlic and onion bulbs have been planted and growers on the west side of the County will be getting ready to plant tomato transplants. The spring crop of lettuce is in the ground. Harvest of it will begin typically in March-April.

For permanent orchard and vineyard crops, such as deciduous tree fruits, almonds and grapes, pruning and shredding activities are underway during the winter months. Pre-emergent herbicides and dormant sprays to control over-wintering pests and fungus spores are being applied. Weather-permitting, orchard crop buds will start to swell in February, followed by bloom. The earliness of the bloom depends on the varieties of the fruit and nut crops.

Grape growers are pruning, irrigating as needed, cultivating and spraying to control weeds and removing old vineyards. This is the time of year that new, bareroot orchard and vineyard crops are planted.

Archive: January, January/February, March, July, August/September, November