Flash Bloom in the Early Almond Varieties along with Frost

The Bees go into the orchards in early February and come out usually in mid to late March. This year it was more of a flash bloom so the early varieties bloom for a few weeks in February then it is done for those varieties then the later varieties bloom and it spreads out the bloom. This year matters are complicated by the cold spell with temperatures being below freezing for the last few days with the coldest temperatures coming Friday, February 25. The temperatures are expected in the mid 20’s but depends on the area in the San Joaquin Valley since the Great Valley is geographically very large. The growers irrigate and spay the trees hoping the water will freeze and insulate the small nuts that have already been pollinated. Hopefully it doesn’t get too cold and it is not a major loss for the 2022 almond crop. Some are will be hit very hard depending on temperatures and how cold it gets while other areas will be unaffected. The bees in the orchards will be coming out much sooner to move on to other spring locations. This is the cycle of the bloom and our weather and climate has a direct effect on almond ranchers and the bees.