While we were able to plant earlier than in recent years the spring has still posed some challenges. For one thing, we’ve had many days of strong winds. Secondly the temperatures have really varied from day to day. Rice is a lot like people – the plants prefer a more gradual change in the weather than big differences from day to day.
Right now myself and other growers are monitoring our fields and working to keep weeds at a minimum.
We are now starting the tillering process, where the primary shoot of the rice plant emerges and new ones form around the base. The healthier the plant, the better our chance will be at a more abundant harvest in the fall.
Hopefully the rest of the growing season will include more normal weather. High temperatures around 90 would be ideal.
Punch Haskell grows rice in Colusa County and is part of a family farming operation that began approximately 60 years ago.
While we were able to plant earlier than in recent years the spring has still posed some challenges. Weather Forecast Keswick
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