Seasonal Cycles

Seasonal Cycles

Each crop has its own seasonal schedule of planting and harvesting dates. There are few generalizations, thus the diagrams give examples of only a few New Mexico crops. Seasonal cycles also govern when pesticide, herbicide or integrated pest management tasks should occur, when soils should be tilled and amendments added, and when orchard trees should be pruned. Each kind of livestock has its own seasonal cycle of birth, movements and culling. Seasonal cycle also govern when pesticide, herbicide or integrated pest management tasks should occur, when soils should be tilled and amendments added, and when orchard trees should be pruned. Each kind of livestock has its own seasonal cycle of birth, movements and culling. Seasons determine when free-range livestock young need most protection from predators. New Mexico's agro-ecoregions have six major growing (frost-free) agro-ecoregions, each with many more microclimates. New Mexico agronomists bred special varieties of crops and livestock for each region.

Dream: A public that is more in tune with seasonal harvests, celebrates them, preferentially buys from the local foodsheds and relies less on a seasonal imports and controlled-temperature storage. Climate change has already altered the harmony between cultivar and seasonal cycles, and farmers may need special help as temperatures rise and rainfall changes.