For Gary Clevenger, wind can no longer be considered an exception: “In California, we’ve learned to accept that wind events are part of the normal pattern rather than the exception.” This condition affects critical stages such as flowering, fruit set, and size development, and coincides with fruit hanging on the trees, increasing the risk of production loss.

The damage is usually immediate. Clevenger explains that “fruit that doesn’t fall is suddenly more exposed and becomes more susceptible to sunburn because it loses that natural leaf cover.” Therefore, growers are managing their orchards anticipating several significant wind events during the season. As he states, “Growers are planning as if we’re going to see some significant wind events going into and throughout the new season.”

To minimize these effects, canopy management and pruning reduce breakage and fruit drop; irrigation and soil health decrease tree stress; and young or high-density orchards use trellises and windbreaks. Balanced nutrition is also a key factor, since “if the fertilization program is well-adjusted and the foliage is healthy at flowering and fruit set, better fruit retention and less long-term damage are observed.”

Operational preparedness also plays a central role. “Being prepared gives you options: you can harvest an at-risk block before a major event or respond immediately afterward,” Clevenger points out, highlighting the importance of having crews, bins, and transportation ready before a weather event.

A longer season? The decisive role of cultural practices

The industry is observing a gradual shift in the California calendar, with the potential to extend the season when conditions allow. Clevenger clarifies that this phenomenon is not simply a change of dates: “We are seeing the potential for longer seasons in California, but it’s not as simple as saying 'the season is now from X to Y'.”

Traditionally, California has seen its peak production between spring and early summer. However, some growers may harvest earlier in southern regions or extend the fruit's shelf life in the north. Looking ahead, Clevenger projects that "California will appear more consistently from late winter through midsummer, with the peak still occurring in the spring and early summer window."

The key to sustaining this expansion lies in accumulated cultural practices. Clevenger explains that “two neighboring growers can have the same climate and the same variety, but very different results depending on how they have managed their trees over the past 12 to 24 months.” Pruning, irrigation, fertilization, weed and pest control, and harvest timing have become crucial in the face of a more volatile climate.

These practices directly influence volume and final quality: “Best practices translate into better internal quality, shelf life, and consumer experience.” This is crucial for competing against other origins and sustaining programs with retailers.

In short, the upcoming California harvest will be shaped by two forces: challenging weather and the cumulative effects of agronomic decisions made one or two years ago. As Clevenger summarizes, “We are seeing the results of decisions made one or two years ago. In an environment where weather and global supply are unpredictable, cultural practices are where growers still have the most control.”