Crop Reports · November 2026 Edition · Nov 3

Whitewash, Winter Prep, and Lessons From a Short Water Year

The first rains of the season have set fall work in motion. Citrus whitewash is underway, almond growers are turning to pre-emergent and sanitation, and planning for next year has already started, from dormant programs to mating disruption and fertility. Here’s what our PCAs are seeing out in the fields.

  • Citrus: With the recent rains, growers have started fungicide and whitewash applications. About 30% of whitewash spraying is complete, along with spot spraying and harvest preparation on early varieties. Growers are already pricing next year’s mating-disruption programs and lining up fertility programs before year-end. Most citrus potassium applications go on in January or February.

  • Almonds: Pre-emergent and soil-amendment work is moving forward after the rain. Bacterial canker remains a concern in some blocks. Sanitation matters: mechanical damage can let canker into trees, and affected fields can see yield losses year after year.

  • Pistachios: Growers are planning dormant-season programs for the winter ahead.

  • Fertilizer and Soil: High sulfur prices have growers looking at using less of it this season. Interest in soil amendments and compost is growing across grapes and other crops, but cost still limits compost use except where reimbursement programs help cover it.

  • Cover Crops: Demand for cover crop seed is up, driven by an NRCS reimbursement program. Growers are waiting two to three weeks for planting.

  • Water and Yield: Trial data shared this month showed blocks with lower irrigation yielding around 2,200 pounds, while blocks receiving close to 45 acre-inches ranged from about 2,200 to 3,600 pounds. Many growers never made up for being about 30% behind on water this season, which may help explain the smaller stone fruit sizes reported this year.

As the season turns toward winter, the focus is on finishing whitewash, keeping orchards clean, and planning next year’s programs, with this year’s water lessons in mind. Our team will keep monitoring conditions across all crops through the dormant season.

Questions about how this applies to your fields? Reach out to your GAR PCA, or call us at (559) 638-6311. Follow us on LinkedIn for the full report.