Thanks Brad! Realistically I think we're going to have to replace several acres of the avocados with more water efficient fruits. I don't think we can afford to water 2,000 avocado trees. There was a past due water bill of $85K that had to be paid to get the water turned back on. Fortunately we found out about it before we closed escrow.
We don't know if we'll be able to drill wells at the orchard. The property is really hilly and steep and we don't think the drilling equipment can make it up to the top of the property.
We're going to save the best trees and as many trees as we can afford to water and figure out how to be as efficient as we can. I'm thinking olives, pomegranates, figs, dragonfruit, mulberries, guavas, cherimoyas, and mangoes. Whatever we grow, I'm good. I'm happy to be planting, taking care of trees, growing food, and being surrounded by nature. I'm looking forward to hosting fruit tastings in the future.
I know you said a lot of avocado varieties are overhyped, but I can't help but want to try some of them anyway. Especially the ones that you say taste good but have bad growth habit. Hope you're selling scions this winter.
That would be great if you came to check out the property, definitely bring the dirt bike motorcycle.
Janet