Key metrics — Oxnard 2025 & 2026 average · Open field
Season yield
1,537g / plant
1,637 in 2025 · 1,437 in 2026
Through February
211g / plant
Early-market window
Fruit size
34.3g / berry
24.0 g from Apr 15
Firmness
1.15lb / in²
Castaic carries large, firm fruit that keeps its color after the peak.
Skin stays firm through the season and flavor is good. It does best with dark plastic and lower fertility.
Trial record · Oxnard, California
Oxnard, California, 2025 & 2026 average. Open field. Castaic averaged 1,537 g per plant.
Show monthly numbers
| Month | Castaic · g / plant | Belvedere · g / plant | Castaic · g / berry | Belvedere · g / berry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec | 8 | 15 | — | — |
| Jan | 92 | 166 | 36.8 | 41.2 |
| Feb | 111 | 230 | 43.6 | 42.4 |
| Mar | 645 | 523 | 41.3 | 37.3 |
| Apr | 419 | 292 | 24.8 | 22.5 |
| May | 188 | 232 | 23.6 | 24.8 |
| Jun | 74 | 73 | 25.3 | 28.4 |
Cultivars in both seasons — Oxnard 2025 & 2026 average (g / plant)
Growing Castaic
Planting
Oxnard: October 1–5. Santa Maria: October 1–15.
Chill
Like most short-days, it can leave a yield gap if planted too early on low chill. Stay in a standard planting window.
Fertility
Pre-plant fertilizer on the low-to-moderate side; less on heavier soils.
Disease
Moderate resistance to Verticillium. Standard programs for powdery mildew, botrytis and mites.
