SPRING TRANSITION

During the winter months many growers move their operations from the Salinas and San Joaquin Valley down to Yuma, Arizona and the California desert, think Coachella Valley just south of Palm Springs down through the Imperial Valley to El Centro at the border of Mexico. As the weather warms up historically in March, the growing areas move north from Mexico and the California desert to the Salinas Valley for cooler weather summer veg (Lettuce, Broccoli, Cauliflower and Celery) and to Fresno for warmer crops (Peppers, Corn, Tomatoes, Beans and Eggplant).

Growers are saying this is the latest, wettest and most difficult transition they have experienced.  It is too wet to plant and flooding in the Pajaro region in particular has wiped out entire blocks.  Plantings in Salinas that would have taken place at the end of March are now being pushed to April. Think Romaine, Iceberg, Leaf Lettuce, Kales, Cauliflower, Cilantro, Parsley and Fennel.  With plantings delayed we will see the ripple effects of the weather months from now. We can expect shorts or low supply down the road in April and May, long after the rainstorms have passed.

Inclement weather, hotter days, and the end of the season in the desert can result in produce showing more defects and issues than usual, such as aphid pressure. Temperatures in the desert are in the 80’s this week and historically are in the 100’s by June.