Farm labor crews for pistachio growers
Crews for pistachio orchards across the San Joaquin Valley and beyond: winter pruning and sanitation, suckering, young-tree work, and harvest support, with a foreman on every crew.
Pistachio work we handle
- Dormant pruning December to FebruaryHand pruning and cleanup cuts after mechanical hedging and topping, to your standard for each block.
- Winter sanitation December to FebruaryKnocking down and removing the mummy nuts left after harvest, which helps growers control navel orangeworm.
- Planting and replants February to MayPlanting rootstock trees, staking, and filling gaps in older blocks.
- Young tree training April to AugustStaking, tying, and training cuts that shape young trees for mechanical harvest.
- Suckering and orchard floor April to JulySucker removal, hand hoeing, and weed control around trunks and drip lines.
- Harvest support Late August to OctoberCrews working with shaker-catcher equipment: ground cleanup, hand-knocking trees the equipment misses, and bin and trailer handling.
The pistachio season at a glance
| Work | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dormant pruning | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Winter sanitation | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Planting and replants | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Young tree training | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Suckering and orchard floor | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Harvest support | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Typical California timing. Exact dates vary by region, variety, and weather.
What pistachio growers should know
- Harvest happens in the heatPistachio harvest lands in late summer, often above 100°F in the Valley. Water, shade, and high-heat procedures move with the crew as harvest moves through the orchard.
- People around equipmentCrews working near shakers, catch frames, and trailers need clear rules for where to stand and how to signal. Our foremen set them before harvest starts.
- Sanitation timing mattersMummy nut removal works best when it's finished well before spring. Booking winter crews early helps you get it done on time.
Questions from pistachio growers
Do you help with pistachio harvest if it's mechanized?
Yes. Most pistachio harvest is done with shaker-catcher equipment, and our crews support it: ground cleanup, hand-knocking trees the equipment misses, and bin and trailer handling. We size the crew to your equipment and schedule.
What is winter sanitation, and can you staff it?
Winter sanitation means removing the mummy nuts left on trees after harvest, which reduces overwintering navel orangeworm. Yes, we staff sanitation crews from December through February. Book early so the work is done well before spring.
Where do you supply pistachio crews?
Anywhere in California. Most pistachio work is in the San Joaquin Valley, in counties such as Kern County, Tulare County, Kings County, Fresno County, Madera County, and Merced County. We're based in Bakersfield; call (661) 677-5733 to check crew availability for your dates.
Counties where we work with pistachio growers
Other crops we work
Need a pistachio crew?
Tell us the block, the work, and your dates. We'll call you back to plan it.