How to Manage Pests

Frost injury

Dormant almond buds are relatively insensitive to frost damage. Sensitivity to frost injury increases gradually as the buds come out of dormancy. From midbloom until the fruits are the size of a pea or larger, the crop can be significantly damaged by temperatures only slightly below freezing. Spring frost can blacken and kill budding leaves, flowers, and young fruits.

Solutions

To reduce the likelihood of frost injury, conserve heat by keeping the vegetation under trees mowed short, so that the soil surface is firm and moistened. If overhead sprinklers are available, use them to prevent frost injury when low temperatures occur during bloom. Trees can be protected from frost injury by covering them with floating row cover or using protective shelters if freezing conditions occur during bloom or early fruit growth. These covers should be prevented from touching the tree. Some varieties may be more prone to frost than are others.

Fruit affected by frost

Frost-damaged flowers