Among the Oldest Avocado Trees in California, at The Huntington
It feels like a rain forest under them. In 1908, Henry Huntington, the railroad magnate, had avocado trees grown from seed and planted by the hundreds on his property near Pasadena, in what became known as the first commercial avocado orchard in California. Some...
Why prune fruit trees in winter in Southern California? (And why not?)
Winter is when I do most of my fruit tree pruning. Why? Which kinds? Why most and not all? Let’s dive in. See branches in winter Fruit trees that lose their leaves in winter – deciduous fruit trees – offer a view of their branch structures at that time. When they’re...
What to do in a Southern California food garden in December
I like to sit by the fireplace during the long nights of December and read my notes and reflect on the past growing year. Did I grow enough onions for the family? I suspect I watered my USDA 88-2 mandarin tree too much. How much water did it get? Should I plant...
Avocado grower, don’t be greedy: remove fruit
"Always do what's best for the tree," says an avocado farmer that I respect. What he means is, when deciding whether to do something to the tree -- water or stake or whitewash or shade or prune -- base your decision on the answer to just one question: Is it best for...
San Diego County Native Plants by James Lightner: a book review
When I'm hiking and see a plant I don't know, I consult my copy of James Lightner's book. San Diego County Native Plants is my go-to resource for identifying and learning the basics about any wild plant seen anywhere in Southern California. I've used this book...
Dead spots in a yard
First I planted a Granny Smith apple. Second I planted a Sharwil avocado. Then I planted another Sharwil avocado. Finally I planted a Flavor Grenade pluot in this spot, but it too died. It was then that I realized it was not me killing these trees, it was this...
Watering citrus trees in Southern California
As the weather cools in fall and the citrus fruit on my trees start turning from green to yellow, they catch my eye. It's been so long since I've eaten a tangerine or a navel orange. I can't wait until this new crop is ripe. And I look at the amount of fruit on the...
Thille avocado: a profile
Thille is the low-pro link between numerous famous avocado varieties. Even though Thille trees barely exist anymore, and not many were grown in the first place, it is the daughter of Hass, the mother of Gwen, and the grandmother of Lamb, GEM, and the new Luna. So the...
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