California is the leading agriculture state in the United States.
The state’s mild climate, diverse soils, and long growing season allow farmers to grow a wide variety of crops.
More than 400 different commodities are produced in California, including over half of the nation’s fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
California farms the majority of the country’s almonds, apricots, dates, figs, kiwi fruit, nectarines, olives, pistachios, prunes, and raisins.
The state also grows celery, garlic, lettuce, melons, peaches, and tomatoes.
Plant Hardiness Zones for California
Before understanding the environmental conditions of California, let us take a look at the US Plant Hardiness Zone Map for the state.
Plant Hardiness Zone Map For California
Climate
According to this map, the zone of California state ranges from 5-10, i.e., the average minimum temperature is between -15˚F and 40˚F.
The climate in most of California is sub-tropical with mild and cool summers along the coast. In 2020, California reported its warmest year with a temperature of 3.5˚F.
Precipitation
The average annual precipitation is about 21.44 inches.
Below-normal precipitation was recorded in northern and central California producing 2nd and 3rd driest years on record.
Soil type
The below map shows the types of soil present in California.
Plant Hardiness Zone Map For Alaska
Now, let us understand this map in more detail with the help of the table.
Soil Order Of California
| Soil Type | Location | Characterstics |
|---|---|---|
| Alfisols | common in foothill regions and stable landforms where precipitation is moderate to high common in foothill regions and stable landforms where precipitation is moderate to high common in foothill regions and stable landforms where precipitation is moderate to high common in foothill regions and stable landforms where precipitation is moderate to high Commonly found in foothill regions and stable landforms, also along western and eastern margins of San Joaquin Valley. | 1. moderately weathered soils 2.Have more than 35% base saturation in the subsoil. |
| Andisols | Found where volcanic materials are found | 1. have poorly crystalline minerals, high phosphate retention, and high water holding capacity 2. |
| Aridisols | Throughout the Mojave desert, the southern San Joaquin Valley, and high deserts on the southwestern and eastern side of Sierra Nevada. | 1. lack of moisture 2. Have accumulations of clay, Calcium Carbonate, silica, or soluble salts. 3. highly productive agricultural soils when irrigated |
| Entisols | Dessert mountainous terrains | 1. Mineral soil with a sandy texture that lacks horizons with a distinct pedogenic alteration. |
| Histosols | Mostly in Sacramento- San Joaquin Delta | 1. composed of organic matter 2.Common to wet landscape positions where plant biomass is high and decomposition is slow. |
| Inceptisols | These are commonly found in steep terrains with chaparral or montane conifer forest and on young stream terraces. | 1. young soil 2. Has a slight increase in the clay content relative to the parent material. |
| Mollisols | Found in grasslands, savanna, or steppe vegetation | 1. accumulations of highly decomposed organic matter in the topsoil 2. accumulations of highly decomposed organic matter in the topsoil |
| Ultisols | Found on acidic parent materials associated with mid-elevation conifer forests in the Sierra Nevada, northern coastal, and cascade ranges. | 1. rich in smectite clay minerals that display shrink-swell properties 2. Vegetation varies from riparian to grassland. |
| Vertisols | Found in basin floor environments where fine, clay-rich parent materials have been deposited. | 1. rich in smectite clay minerals that display shrink-swell properties 2. Vegetation varies from riparian to grassland. |
