Growing mangos in Southern California
For the past twenty years or so I’ve been observing other people’s mango trees in Southern California, and for the past ten years I’ve been trying to grow my own. I haven’t had quick success, frankly. But I take consolation in the fact that most others I know who grow...
Do you need to plant two tomatillos to get fruit?
Some years ago, I heard the idea that you had to plant two tomatillos in order to get fruit. One tomatillo plant alone would flower but not set fruit. It needs cross pollination. This reminded me of the idea I had heard about avocados too: that you need two avocado...
Transplanting fruit trees in Southern California
I'm sure you are smarter than me and have never planted a fruit tree only to later want to move it. Maybe you learned that the spot was too cold or that the tree would get too big, or maybe you are moving to a new house and want to take the tree with you. I've moved...
November in Jacques’ garden
Last month many fruits were ripe in Jacques' garden that are still available here in November: pomegranates, dragon fruit, pineapple guavas, tamarillos, and persimmons. So we skipped over those in this tour, but we did find a few new items to taste: longans, autumn...
How I girdle avocado trees
Girdling is a technique that can be used to manipulate the growth, flowering, and fruiting of an avocado tree. I use it mostly to make a tree fruit every year rather than every other year. Various tools and versions of the technique have been developed by avocado...
Food rankings
What do you eat? What should you eat? This is a brief, food-for-thought post. Here I put something out there that I'd like to hear your thoughts on because you probably know more about food and think more about food than most people due to the fact that you are a...
September and October in Jacques’ garden
September got busy for us so Jacques and I toured his garden for ripe treats in early October. We tasted fruits that are mostly available in both months: September + October. But a few usually aren't ready until October (persimmons and macadamia nuts). As usual in...
Persimmons u-pick: Shoemaker Farm in Ramona, San Diego County
Shoemaker Farm (now called Ramona Fresh Fruits) will open for the 2025 persimmon picking season on Wednesday, October 29. The farm address is 18131 Traylor Road, Ramona 92065. Bring cash or Venmo to pay for your persimmons. Check for hours and updates at the Ramona...









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