March 3, 2025 Bloom Update πΈ
Welcome to your third Bountiful Bloom Update for the 2025 growing season. We'll be publishing bloom updates weekly during bloom. In case you missed last week's Bountiful Bloom update, you can read it here.
Let's dive in!
πΈ Bloom Update
February 25 - March 3, 2025
Overall, we are at petal fall as of today, March 3rd. Bloom looks to be fairly consistent at petal fall across all regions of the valley, with the North and South showing most reports of petal fall while the Central still has some spotty fields at full bloom. A good portion of trees are starting to leaf out and show little nutlets (see some of our user pictures at the end of the email). Yesterday, parts of the valley in the Central and South regions received reports of hail for a brief period. We will see, as the season progresses, how, if at all, nut set was affected by this weather.
Consistent daily bloom observations have come from the Central region of the state followed by the South, then the North. You can see this below for the 2025 Almond Bloom, showing the progression of bloom stages reported by dayπ.
Bloom submissions received at Bountiful Bloom, show all regions are at nearly the same stage, petal fall.
π£ If you're in the South or North regions, we'd love your support with bloom observations to increase coverage in these areas.
π‘οΈπ§οΈ Weather
A look at current temperature and precipitation trends
π‘οΈ Temperature
Temperature averages this year across the state have been about the same as this time last year. However, the extremes continue to be more pronounced, meaning we've had higher maximum temperatures and lower minimum temperatures. Below π, you'll see Temperatures for 2/1-3/3 2025 compared to 2024 for Fresno County.
To view Temperature for another specific county or for the whole state, go to Agriculture: Weather in the Bountiful platform.
π§οΈ Precipitation
With the exception of yesterday's rain + hail event, the first 4 days of last week were mostly dry with good weather. Below π, you'll see Precipitation for 2/1-3/2 for 2025 compared to 2024 for Fresno County.
To view Precipitation for a specific county or the whole state, go to Agriculture: Weather in the Bountiful platform.
π Bee Flight & βοΈ Chill Portions
The effect of weather on bee flight hours and chill portions
π Bee Flight Hours
Bee Flight hours overall increased 98% to 144% over last week; however, they are continuing to trend below last year. In the table below π, you'll see current Bee Flight Hours by week and Total Bee Flight Hours to Date for 2025 vs 2024.
Bee Flight Hours update directly in Bountiful Bloom to see them submit an observation.
βοΈ Chill Portions
Chill Portions in the North are on par with last year for the same period, while the Central and South are still slightly down over last year. Bountiful begins calculating chill as of September 1 of the previous year. Below π you'll see the cumulative Chill Portions for 2025 vs 2024.
Chill Portions update directly in Bountiful Bloom; to see them submit an observation.
You can stay on top of changing bee flight hours and chill at BountifulAlmonds.com, and while you're there, please submit a bloom observation.
This Week's Featured Bloom Shot
We received a lot of submissions this past week; here are some of our favorites. If you don't see yours, don't worry; we'll be posting more to our social media accounts!
πΈπ: Michele L. in Stanislaus County
πΈπ: Mark B. in Fresno County
πΈπ: Michael B. in Merced County
πΈπ: Lindsay B. in Merced County
πΈ Share photos of Bloom
Share your almond bloom photos with Bountiful by emailing megan@bountiful.ag or texting (805) 704-7157 to be featured in Bountiful's bloom update
Your feedback makes Bountiful Bloom better, Please let us know what you think of Bountiful Bloom!
Thank you for helping share and submit observations to Bountiful Bloom. We literally couldn't do this without you π.
Wishing you a Bountiful Bloom!