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.

U.S. foreign policy has been captured by dorks obsessed with the movie 300 and the only way to fix it is to put in power dorks obsessed with the movie Master and Commander.

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.

When a big dog tries to fit in the shade of a small tree. Pack leader Ello has spent enough time in the avocado 🥑 orchard that he knows to minimize effort on a warm day.

Crop rotation? It's valuable, but how to achieve it in an orchard that's expected to remain for 40+ years? Rotating covercrops! Allows us to have multiple plant species, even though only one (avocados) are permanent and expected to make money.

The only good thing I have to say about the Trump administration is that it has been an absolute meatgrinder for the ambitions of shitty people. And let me be the first to congratulate Sen. Mullins on his nomination.

This is the exact same Guy you could find 2,000 years ago as a Roman senator gleefully listing the number of Germani slain and sold into slavery, 900 years ago exulting in the sack of Jerusalem, or 100 years ago celebrating 500 yards taken on the Western Front. Timeless chickenhawk scum.

Yeah... It's a style problem.

Avocado farming is not for the impatient. These trees were planted in 2022, and will give us some fruit for this season. The 2027 season looks promising with lots of bloom. This is considered fast.

Today US troops go in harm's way to topple the regime in Tehran. If successful, it will leave a power vacuum to be filled by Moscow, making Iran a Russian satellite. Posting for future reference. Avocado and dog programming to resume shortly.

Testing interpretations of the "don't get on the couch" rule.

Centerpiece of an expanded and more secure dog yard at the Santa Paula ranch is this nicely crafted dog house from @thewooofspot. Now we just need to finish the fencing and add a little basic dog-proof landscaping.

The figs feel that spring is here, and while the calendar may disagree, I'm not sure that I can. Nice morning for a #farmlab field trip with @SEE_AG .

Mowing the covercrop close to the young #avocado trees to reduce competition for water, leaving the row centers to build more biomass. Hope and Roscoe approve.

To be be clear that it wasn't the ad we hated.

What was meant to be inspirational is now the equivalent of a "You are here" sign.

Avocados getting ready to flower in foreground, snow-capped Topa Topa in background. Why I live where I live and do what I do.

I haven't seen red shouldered hawks eating avocados, but I have noticed that they are more common in our orchard since we replaced the last of our lemons with avocados a few years back. Also hat tip to @kanejim.bsky.social for his caption.

Hidden by the covercrop/ filter strip is our primary orchard drain. It used to move a huge volume of water off the property, but now we perc nearly everything in even during heavy rain events. Considering whether we will need it in the future.