David McNew/Getty Images Almond trees are seen at dawn on May 8,
2008 near Bakersfield, California. All those warm days in
September paid off for one of California's signature crops. The
almonds rolled in -- plump, dry and on time. "We're having a
great almond year -- great from the standpoint that the
weather's been very cooperative," said Dave Baker, director of
member relations for almond cooperative Blue Diamond's
3,000-plus growers. "Overall, quality looks good, and harvest is
right on target." After pollination in late February and early
March, almonds hang on the tree seven to eight months before
harvest starts in late summer. By the end of October, this
harvest will be complete. - Weather and Wine "We're pretty much
normal this harvest," Baker said. "We couldn't say that the last
two years." Soggy springs and wet fall weather delayed the crop
at both ends of the previous two seasons. After the nuts are
dried, hulling and shelling continues into January and February.
That means there will be plenty of