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Field Notes
Hass Avocado Season Wrap-Up: What to Expect as Fuerte Season Arrives
As late summer gives way to early autumn in Southern California, we have officially reached the end of our Hass avocado harvest…
Commercial Avocado Grove Revitalization: Well Drilling, Power, and Replanting 10 Acres
Taking on the rehabilitation of a legacy avocado orchard requires careful planning, significant financial commitment, and reliable infrastructure. We are officially beginning…
Avocado Harvest Season Wrap-Up: Saving the Last Fruit for Kitchen Recipes
Avocado harvest season in Southern California is winding down, and walking through our grove this week reveals bare branches where heavy clusters…
California Farm Overtime Law AB 1066: Why Good Intentions Backfired on Farmworkers
California farm overtime law AB 1066 was designed to guarantee agricultural laborers the same overtime rules as standard commercial businesses. On paper,…
Avocado Growing Tips
Fuerte Avocado Tree Care: Managing Aging Trees, Trunk Rot, and Heavy Branch Support
Managing an established avocado orchard requires balancing short-term harvest production with long-term tree health. On our family grove in Escondido, California, legacy…
Shiny vs Dull Avocados: How to Tell Fruit Maturity on the Tree
Understanding how to evaluate avocado maturity directly on the tree is an essential skill for growers and backyard enthusiasts alike. When inspecting…
How to Care for Fallen or Hollowed-Out Avocado Trees: A Legacy Grove Guide
Managing an established or historic avocado grove frequently presents unique challenges that standard commercial farming guides do not cover. One of the…
Avocado Tree Sunburn and Pruning Water Sprouts: How to Protect Grove Yields
Avocado tree sunburn is one of the most common yet overlooked challenges commercial growers face during warm growing seasons. When open limbs…
Avocado history
California Avocado Growers: Why Only 1,700 Commercial Farms Remain (1982 vs Today)
California avocado production has undergone massive transformations over the last four decades, leaving many consumers surprised to learn how few commercial growers…
Cost to Start an Avocado Farm in California: Why Legacy Land Matters
Starting an avocado farm in Southern California from scratch is one of the most financially daunting ventures an entrepreneur could pursue today.…
First Avocado Tree in San Diego County: The Surprising History of Escondido Avocados
San Diego County is known across the world as a premier avocado growing region, but few people know where that agricultural legacy…
San Diego Agriculture: Why San Diego County Leads California in Value Per Acre
San Diego County holds a surprising title in the world of farming: it is the number one county in California for agricultural…
Homesteading
Growing Fruit Trees on an Avocado Farm: Homestead Food Freedom and Family Recipes
When most people think of our grove, they immediately picture rows of California avocado trees loaded with fruit. While commercial avocado farming…
Food Scarcity vs. Natural Abundance: What Commercial Avocado Farming Taught Us
Food scarcity is frequently presented as an inevitable ecological crisis, but stepping into commercial agriculture offers a completely different vantage point. When…
Avocado Grove Lifestyle: Sunset Harvests and Family Farming in California
Living on an avocado grove in Southern California offers a unique rhythm that connects daily work with the changing beauty of the…
How to Repair and Maintain a Vintage Avocado Pole Picker Tool
Maintaining vintage avocado harvesting tools is essential for keeping family farm operations running smoothly and efficiently. When an old pole picker seizes…
Seasonal Avocado Care
Fuerte Avocado Season: Transitioning from Hass Harvest to California’s Heritage Variety
Fuerte avocado season marks one of the most exciting seasonal transitions on our California grove each autumn. As late summer turns into…
Hass Avocado Harvest Guide: Managing Late Season Fruit and Summer Heat
Understanding the Late-Season Hass Avocado Harvest Managing mature Hass avocado trees during the late summer harvest requires a clear understanding of tree…
Avocado Tree Dropping Fruit: Why Avocados Shrivel and Sunburn
Avocado tree dropping fruit before it matures is one of the most frustrating experiences for home gardeners and commercial growers alike. Seeing…
June Drop in Avocados: Testing Myths About Seedless Fruit and Crop Loss
June drop in avocados is a natural physiological process that often surprises homesteaders, backyard gardeners, and commercial avocado growers alike. During early…
Irrigation
Avocado Water Usage: How Much Water Does It Really Take to Grow an Avocado?
Avocado water usage is one of the most frequently discussed topics in modern agriculture, and for good reason. Farming in Southern California…
Avocado Tree Water Usage vs Lawn Irrigation: Calculating California Farm Water Needs
Calculations surrounding water usage are among the most critical decisions for any property owner in California, especially for those managing production fruit…