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Comments about the California nursery business

Nursery business improves

Nursery operators who sell plants for outdoor landscaping say they're starting to see some improvement in sales. Many nurseries saw sales fall during the construction slump and the recession. Now, consumers have resumed buying colorful plants to beautify their yards. Demand for native and drought resistant plants is increasing and many in the nursery business think that trend will continue. California leads the nation in the production of nursery plants.

Olive production predicted to increase

Olive growers in California say they expect a much larger crop this year. The California Olive Committee estimates farmers will pick almost 92,000 tons of olives. That would be four times the amount harvested last year, which was the second lowest production in history. Olive trees bear heavier crops every other year, but the swing in production from last year to this is unusually strong. The olives counted by the committee will be used as "table olives," rather than for olive oil.

Brussels sprouts harvest starts

Brussels sprouts grown in California have reached retail outlets all across the country. Growers say the crop shows very good quality as a result of ideal weather for the vegetable. The coastal growing regions have experienced fog most mornings and sun most afternoons, which benefits brussels sprouts' growth. Consumers will be able to find California-grown brussels sprouts from now through January. California is the leading brussels sprouts producing state in the country.

Rice farmers face challenges

Unseasonably cool weather has put the California rice crop behind schedule. Rice needs heat to develop. Farm advisors measure that in "heat units," and say rice fields received half as many units at times this spring as they had a year earlier. Farmers worry a delayed harvest could leave more of their crops vulnerable to autumn rain. A crop report released this week listed 85 percent of the California rice crop as in good or excellent condition.

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