Class on avocado production offered

TEMECULA - The University of California cooperative Extension will offer a session of classes on “Avocado Production for New Growers” in Temecula beginning Thursday, Jan. 30. The classes will be taught by Gary Bender, Ph.D.

The classes are designed for someone new to the avocado industry (someone who has recently purchased a grove and needs guidance), or an existing grower who has some questions.

Topics will include:

• Jan. 30 - Introduction to agriculture in San Diego County, history of avocado production in California.

• Feb. 6 - Botany, flowering, varieties, harvest dates, rootstocks

• Feb. 14 (Friday) - Irrigation systems, irrigation scheduling, salinity management

• Feb. 20 - Fertilization, organic production

• Feb. 27 - Insect and mite control, disease control

• Mar. 6 - Canopy management, tree spacing, frost management

• Mar. 13 - Ag Waiver water school training (Dr. Loretta Bates)

• Mar. 15 - 1 p.m. - a Saturday field trip to high density trial and a commercial grove

Classes will take place on Thursday afternoons (except Feb. 14 class on Friday) from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Rancho California Water District office, 42135 Winchester Rd., Temecula. For cost and more information, call Cristina Lomeli at (760) 752-4724.