Other Dryland Crops
There are other low water use crops that would integrate with this Agave – Opuntia paradigm. They could be incorporated into the farm plan to provide more diversity, more interest for owners, spread risk, and provide more balanced income and stability while taking advantage of other niche markets, favorable microclimates and more profit centers.
We have experience with a number of these other crops that are low water use plants which integrate well with either or both the Agave and the Prickly Pear to create a more diverse, balanced farming operation.
One major dryland crop we have worked with is the Olive tree, which is quite compatible with Agaves and Prickly pears with respect to soil adaptability, climate, and water use. Beyond the practical areas of compatibility, Olives, Agaves and Prickly Pears look beautiful together, and we believe a farm should be beautiful and aesthetically pleasing in the landscape. Our primary source for Olive Trees is Santa Cruz Olive Tree Nursery and we have had terrific results establishing Olive orchards with their trees over the years.
Another dryland crop we have worked with is wine grapes. For an owner who is interested in establishing a vineyard we can provide a lot of help. The major deciding factors in growing wine grapes with little or no irrigation are the soil, its depth and the texture, its moisture holding capacity, and the climate. If the soil and the climate aren’t conducive, irrigation is necessary or the crop will be disappointing. We can discern whether or not your site supports a dryland approach to growing wine grapes and if it does, we can design your vineyard, source your plants to establish the vineyard and get it planted.
White Sapote (Casimiroa edulis) is a subtropical fruit tree that produces
large crops of sweet tasty fruit which is suitable for eating fresh and also creating
value added products such as ice cream, popsicles, or distilled sprits. It thrives on Santa Barbara’s native rainfall once established and has few pest or diseases. It makes a terrific windbreak for less wind resistant crops.
There are other low water use crops that would integrate with this Agave – Opuntia paradigm. They could be incorporated into the farm plan to provide more diversity, more interest for owners, spread risk, and provide more balanced income and stability while taking advantage of other niche markets, favorable microclimates and more profit centers.
We have experience with a number of these other crops that are low water use plants which integrate well with either or both the Agave and the Prickly Pear to create a more diverse, balanced farming operation.
One major dryland crop we have worked with is the Olive tree, which is quite compatible with Agaves and Prickly pears with respect to soil adaptability, climate, and water use. Beyond the practical areas of compatibility, Olives, Agaves and Prickly Pears look beautiful together, and we believe a farm should be beautiful and aesthetically pleasing in the landscape. Our primary source for Olive Trees is Santa Cruz Olive Tree Nursery and we have had terrific results establishing Olive orchards with their trees over the years.
Another dryland crop we have worked with is wine grapes. For an owner who is interested in establishing a vineyard we can provide a lot of help. The major deciding factors in growing wine grapes with little or no irrigation are the soil, its depth and the texture, its moisture holding capacity, and the climate. If the soil and the climate aren’t conducive, irrigation is necessary or the crop will be disappointing. We can discern whether or not your site supports a dryland approach to growing wine grapes and if it does, we can design your vineyard, source your plants to establish the vineyard and get it planted.
White Sapote (Casimiroa edulis) is a subtropical fruit tree that produces
large crops of sweet tasty fruit which is suitable for eating fresh and also creating
value added products such as ice cream, popsicles, or distilled sprits. It thrives on Santa Barbara’s native rainfall once established and has few pest or diseases. It makes a terrific windbreak for less wind resistant crops.