You’re always growing two crops: what you’re harvesting this year and the buds you’re preparing for next year.

When nutrition is out of whack, the plant has to decide whether it pushes for more vegetation to optimize photosynthesis or whether it’s healthy enough to make more babies next year. Too little of any nutrient may flip the switch. Too much of any nutrient, especially nitrogen, can also stimulate a plant to grow more vegetatively and less reproductively.

We call the most important part of that process bud differentiation. That special physiological timing comes much earlier in almonds than in pistachios and walnuts, but it happens in every permanent crop.

By paying attention to tissue nutrient levels this year, we can help ensure a good crop next year. By providing adequate water and balanced nutrition to optimize yields this growing season, we also improve the tree’s ability to make more fruit buds for next year.

“Well, thank you, Captain Obvious. Just how do we do that?”

Test Early, Then Adjust
Test early and often.

A tissue test should cost you or your crop nutrition team less than $70. Most growers or consultants only test entire irrigation control blocks. Testing every 10 acres when you irrigate the whole 160 seems a bit silly to me.

Breaking that block into two 80-acre zones or four 40-acre zones can show how nutrients are being assimilated across different soil types. But you don’t need more detail than you can actually manage. Otherwise, you’ll get the dreaded “paralysis by analysis”—or you’ll simply waste money collecting data you can’t use.

Fertilizing an entire irrigation block based on one low 10-acre sample may result in applying way too much fertilizer to the rest of the field. Get a good average for the irrigation block you can actually control.

Now adjust.

Many of my clients have told me over the years, “Don’t adjust my nitrogen rates. I always put out at least that much!”

This year, when nitrogen prices went through the roof during the Iran conflict, many growers had no choice but to cut back. Lo and behold, tissue levels stayed the same, or they finally landed in the green instead of those high luxury-consumption levels.

That accomplished three things.

First, the other 16 nutrients we’re trying to balance weren’t constantly fighting high nitrogen levels that push plant physiology toward vegetative growth.

Second, growers saved money.

Third, knowing an orchard typically assimilates only 12 to 14 pounds of nitrogen per acre per week, we weren’t wasting converted nitrate by applying 30- to 50-pound shots that simply leached below the root zone.

Do the math, hedge your bet, save some money and balance your nutrients.

Balance the Big Six
Now fix the other five macronutrients.

Calcium is needed in amounts equal to—or greater than—nitrogen. You may have plenty of calcium in the soil, but that doesn’t mean it’s available or soluble. Sometimes adding biology and acidity solves the problem.

If sulfate levels are already high, sulfuric acid may not be your answer. Carbon dioxide, hydronium or even fermented products may work much better without adding additional sulfates. Sulfates grab onto cations and become very stable salts that are largely insoluble.

Let’s get balanced.

You’re always growing two crops: what you’re harvesting this year and the buds you’re preparing for next year.

Now adjust your potassium, especially during hot weather. Potassium is heavily involved in opening and closing stomata. Like calcium, it also helps move anions through the xylem.

If the soil isn’t releasing nutrients, spray a soluble foliar solution at a pH around 6. It can provide a quick correction.

Phosphorus and magnesium come next.

Phosphorus is critical early in the season to get the plant moving at bloom. Throughout spring and summer, the plant continually uses phosphorus to produce ATP. Try to maintain tissue levels around 0.20% or higher. If nitrogen exceeds 3%, shoot for phosphorus levels around 7% to 10% of the nitrogen value.

I like magnesium in that same range. Actually, I’d love to see it around 15% of a proper nitrogen level. If nitrogen is 2.5%, that puts magnesium around 0.38%.

Magnesium is the central element in chlorophyll, yet it’s one of the nutrients we tend to overlook.

Remember, high-magnesium soils can be just as problematic as low-magnesium soils. High electrical conductivity in those soils pulls harder on water than the roots can. The nutrients may be there, they’re just not very available.

Go upstairs if you have to, but get it right.

Don’t Forget the Micronutrients
Now focus on those micronutrients.

It doesn’t take much to get them right, especially with foliar applications. Do a jar test before spraying and make sure they’re compatible with your other nutrients and crop protection products.

A little goes a long way when the pH is correct and nutrients are properly assimilated. Sometimes pints and quarts make all the difference.

These nutrients drive many of the plant’s enzymatic reactions.

Don’t short them.

It takes a lot to optimize yield. Different soils will produce different yields. Don’t compare yourself to growers farming perfect Class 1 soils with ideal water. Compare yourself with industry averages and your own historical performance. Then figure out how to improve.

And for goodness’ sake, if you deliver to multiple processors, compare your payouts against green weight to see who’s actually paying you the most. Grades and dockage vary, but payouts relative to green weight may completely change your perception of who’s treating growers best.

Split a field. Do the math.

The truth may make that second crop you’re always growing a whole lot more valuable next year.

Publisher’s Take

The Big Picture: What to do Next

1. You’re always growing two crops

This season’s irrigation and nutrition influence not only the current harvest but also the flower buds that produce next year’s crop.

2. Test tissue early, then adjust

Regular tissue sampling helps identify nutrient imbalances early, allowing growers to fine-tune fertility programs before deficiencies or excesses affect yield.

3. Balance nutrients—not just nitrogen

Excess nitrogen can encourage vegetative growth at the expense of bud development. Calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and micronutrients all play critical roles.

4. Manage by irrigation block

Sample and fertilize according to the irrigation zones you can actually manage. More data isn’t better if it can’t be translated into practical field decisions.

5. Compare progress, not perfection

Evaluate your orchards against previous performance and industry averages. Small improvements in nutrition, irrigation and management can increase both this year’s returns and next year’s crop potential.