On February 1, 2011 we started planting the orchard at Panoche. Our amazing animal deterrent fence had been completed a few days before by the hardworking Mario and his compatriots. That first day we planted 16 trees and were simply exhausted. Our friend, Steve, turned up that evening to tell us how marvelous we were, feed us, and put us to bed. He was a godsend. With his indefatigable energy and spirit, Steve and we planted 23 more trees the second day. Rimming each tree with a berm, mulching, and wrapping the trees did not take long the third day. We had an incredible beginning. Now if only all the trees survive...we will have fruit someday: apples, apricots, peaches, pears, nectarines, cherries (sweet and sour), pears, figs, pomegranates, persimmons, Asian pears, walnuts, almonds, quince, and pluots.
