Our 2 year old trees are large enough to produce some avocados for 2027. Switching to "adult food": more Potassium and Zinc to support fruit development. Fertilizer is $$ this year, but what we apply now shapes the '27 and '28 seasons. Spending now for a million pound year later.

Rarely seen feral barn cats Toledo (B/W) and Memphis (Orange). They're exceptional mousers, but not really team players. "We're not employees. We do our job when and how we want. You open the cans. That's the deal."- Memphis

@patrickwyman.bsky.social Just a shout out and thank you for Tides of History. A few more episodes to listen to. But have thoroughly enjoyed the series (as well as Verge and Lost Worlds). This morning I enjoyed the popular v. academic history episode, esp the discussion of Guns of August intro.

In the last 15 years I've removed and replaced about 85% of our acreage. Only about 2% of our trees are more than 25 years old. That's how orchards remain orchards. And how we have fruit that customers will want for the next 30 years, not the last 30 years. Same dynamic in winegrapes.

How did the picking crew miss this beautiful avocado? It's mine now! Still? Whatever.... I will eat it. I eat fewer avocados during and after harvest season because they've been sent away. I appreciate the occasional bonus fruit.

There's no particular message to this post. Just a happy dog in an avocado orchard. And that's message enough for a Monday.

After a week of classic "June gloom" fog, it's nice to have a brilliant, bright morning here in the 93060, the leading US zip code for avocados.

Wildlife week continues with a bobcat that decided to hang out by our dining room window this evening.

Doing our part to support World Cup watch parties (in the later rounds)

The deer are either well acclimated to humans or hungry and thirsty enough not to care. Looked at me, went back to eating, even though I was only about 30 feet away. So long as they aren't eating the avocado trees.

So many different crops growing in Ventura County, CA: Our avocados in the foreground, neighbor's bell peppers behind, on land that has recently been cabbage, cilantro, celery and strawberries.

Heavy prune in 2025, New growth in 2026, Harvest in 2027. Avocados take patience.

"Mulch helps with water retention, weed suppression, and builds soil organic matter" says farmdog Roscoe. "And it's fun."

Monday morning #avocados

For years "Block Y" was an underperforming block of lemons, but the avocados seem very happy here. Hope is pleased with the progress of these 2 year old trees. (She's about 85 pounds for scale.)

2027 #avocado crop beginning to shape up. Also a good look at all the flowers that didn't become avocados.

Hass avocados are known for their unruly growth habit. A little shaping while they're young sets them up for better production and easier care later. Nice foggy morning to do some work.

Thursday morning dragonfruit blossom

Got a nice peaceful picture a little after 7 this morning. And then a day happened. But there's time to share it now. 3 year old avocado trees near Ventura CA.

Earlier this season I posted about lower than normal avocado prices. Consumers have noticed! So far this year to date every American has eaten an extra pound of avocado compared to 2025.

When General Zaragoza led the Mexican army to victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla OTD 1862, he may not have known that its anniversary would be the second highest day of the year for avocado consumption in the US. But he probably would have approved. Eat one for him.

As much as I love the covercrop, that season is behind us. Now it's time for it all to be mowed down and enjoy the increased soil organic matter and improved water retention as we enter the long dry season.

Avocado picture of the week: this healthy 2 year old tree enjoys some water on a sunny Wednesday (with a bit of added nitrogen, potassium and calcium.) I'm looking forward to seeing this block come into production over the next few years.

A few things on this picture: 1) way too many avocados forming on a very young tree. Appreciate the spirit, but I thinned most off. 2) This tree is about as far from our beehive as could be. Bees play a part in avocado pollination but it is "complicated."

"Why isn't the truck moving? Why is there no dinner yet? Do you require assistance?"

Triticale is an edible grain that we grow in a covercrop mix. It's not harvested. It's job is to create biomass, feeding the soil, not us. 'Cuz a planet's got to eat. Happy Earth Day.

The squeeze: if I short N this spring to save $, I get no growth this summer=no blossoms next spring (2027) = no fruit in 2028. Budget savings must come elsewhere.

Some data from my world: This time last year "Size 60" avocados (most common size) returned about $1.75/ lb to the grower. Today = $1.06. This time last year a gallon of UN32 (conventional nitrogen fertilizer) was about $4.96 Today = $8.54 Not fun.

This year's Cinco de Mayo will see the lowest #avocado prices in some time. Practice your guacamole skills before the big day arrives!

A few new #avocado trees to wrap up a busy week.

It's a beautiful morning to harvest #avocados

California. Avocados, poppies, and sunshine.

Whether he is "the antichrist" (proper noun) I will leave for others to debate. That he is "anti-Christ" (adjective) is self evident from his words and actions. He should also not be President of the United States for many, many non-theological reasons.

It may not be sunny for Ventura County Farm Day, but the rain is expected to hold off until the evening. Looking forward to seeing our neighbors on Saturday between 10-3. Orchard tours on the half-hour marks.

During this morning's irrigation, I stopped to look at some #avocado blossoms. Hope wasted no time crawling under the canopy to relax in the damp shade. She wishes a Happy Easter to all.

One week and a wake up until Ventura County Farm Day! spectrumnews1.com/ca/southern-...

The big news in #avocados a couple of years ago was the release of a new variety: Luna, a hass-like fruit suited to high density planting. We have a few for trials, and this one will be part of the 2027 crop.

The astronauts not having an out of office on is making the rest of us look bad

Mustard, avocados and fog on a Friday morning.

There's something satisfying about growing something tangible. Not AI generated, not delivered by fiber optic cable. Just #avocados grown with CA soil and sunshine.

Happy #nationalagday! In preparation for April 11 ##venturacountyfarmday I'll be fielding questions on #avocados and local ag today. Then come by the farm 4/11 10 -3 to get a tour!

Covercrop: grown with the winter rain protects against the summer sun (even if both rain and sun show up in spring)

"What this clip really provides is fresh evidence of Trump’s scale of derangement, his inability to think or act strategically, and his utter lack of fitness to be sitting in our Oval Office. That’s been true for a long time, but it has become increasingly clear." open.substack.com/pub/america/...

Asked if I'm worried about the growth of avocado acreage in Ventura County. I am... a bit. But our water is only 20-25% the cost of San Diego area water. Pretty much every acre added here has been offset by a lost acre there. HT @jaysayre.bsky.social www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/03/15/e...

Monday morning in the #avocado orchard.

Seeing the new spring growth on the avocados is always a joy. This time of year is full of unknowns: prices, production, weather all TBD. But strong growth always suggests that success lies ahead and I appreciate the reassurance.

I know nothing matters any more but here's the president admitting that he accused Iran of bombing a school full of their own children based on absolutely nothing.

Nothing like trying a different irrigation scheme with higher pressure to reveal weak glue joints from previous repairs.

Our friends from Food Forward came by the Santa Paula ranch this morning and are leaving with about 1000 pounds of citrus for our community. We appreciate their volunteer crew that gave a part of their weekend for others.