Petty Ranch / Chris Sayer
@pettyranch.bsky.social
Avocado grower in Ventura County, CA. Former Navy P3C pilot, current Farm Bureau member
Not all #covercrops work with mulch. But the field peas in last year's mix seemed happy and even reseeded itself. Some germinated after the October rain, and I expect to see more popping up this week.
November 22, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Not all #covercrops work with mulch. But the field peas in last year's mix seemed happy and even reseeded itself. Some germinated after the October rain, and I expect to see more popping up this week.
We played host CA legislators as part of a tour arranged by California Farm Bureau. It was a beautiful day after all the rain, giving us a chance to talk about avocados, water, soil and yes.... policy. Appreciate Shannon Douglass and the CAFB team and Speaker Rivas' office for putting this together.
November 20, 2025 at 6:24 PM
We played host CA legislators as part of a tour arranged by California Farm Bureau. It was a beautiful day after all the rain, giving us a chance to talk about avocados, water, soil and yes.... policy. Appreciate Shannon Douglass and the CAFB team and Speaker Rivas' office for putting this together.
Germination! These seeds are loving this weather. Note: these were spilled while reloading the seeder. Germinating above ground isn't ideal, but the properly bedded seeds are below ground and thus don't make a good picture. #covercrop
November 17, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Germination! These seeds are loving this weather. Note: these were spilled while reloading the seeder. Germinating above ground isn't ideal, but the properly bedded seeds are below ground and thus don't make a good picture. #covercrop
5.5" since Thursday night (~7.5 million gallons) and no run off or standing water. When I was a kid, this drain would have been sitting in a foot of water. Satisfying to see 20 years of soil improvement realized with better water retention and infiltration.
November 16, 2025 at 9:18 PM
5.5" since Thursday night (~7.5 million gallons) and no run off or standing water. When I was a kid, this drain would have been sitting in a foot of water. Satisfying to see 20 years of soil improvement realized with better water retention and infiltration.
As the sun slips behind the approaching clouds, we're as ready as we're going to be. Next 48 hours will be wet.
November 14, 2025 at 12:14 AM
As the sun slips behind the approaching clouds, we're as ready as we're going to be. Next 48 hours will be wet.
Like so many things, irrigation is largely about consistent execution of the basics!
November 13, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Like so many things, irrigation is largely about consistent execution of the basics!
Seeds. This year's #covercrop mixture has bell beans, vetch, mustard, radish, triticale and rye. We had great results with this blend last year, using it in a different part of the orchard this time.
November 12, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Seeds. This year's #covercrop mixture has bell beans, vetch, mustard, radish, triticale and rye. We had great results with this blend last year, using it in a different part of the orchard this time.
For the soil enthusiasts out there.(you know who you are). Digging around under the skirts of our avocado trees. Really happy with what I see.
November 11, 2025 at 11:06 PM
For the soil enthusiasts out there.(you know who you are). Digging around under the skirts of our avocado trees. Really happy with what I see.
With gratitude to those who offered a portion of their lives in service to this nation, especially my brothers and sisters of Northwestern NROTC, and Patrol Squadrons 9 and 19.
November 11, 2025 at 5:14 PM
With gratitude to those who offered a portion of their lives in service to this nation, especially my brothers and sisters of Northwestern NROTC, and Patrol Squadrons 9 and 19.
We don't disc our soil except to plant #covercrop. I did a few wind sheltered rows today to make sure the gear was ready. Planning to disc Mon-Tues, seed Wed, enjoy the rain Thu next week. If nature cooperates.
November 7, 2025 at 7:38 PM
We don't disc our soil except to plant #covercrop. I did a few wind sheltered rows today to make sure the gear was ready. Planning to disc Mon-Tues, seed Wed, enjoy the rain Thu next week. If nature cooperates.
Budgeting for 2026 is a priority right now. And to do that I need to spend a fair amount of time looking at #avocados. Even though yield and pricing is uncertain, it gives me a number to base assumptions on. This would be so much easier if I knew what to expect!
November 5, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Budgeting for 2026 is a priority right now. And to do that I need to spend a fair amount of time looking at #avocados. Even though yield and pricing is uncertain, it gives me a number to base assumptions on. This would be so much easier if I knew what to expect!
With some nice rain possible next week , it might be time to disk between the young #avocado trees so we can seed the #covercrop just before the rain arrives. We'll get the equipment ready and watch the weather.
November 4, 2025 at 4:46 PM
With some nice rain possible next week , it might be time to disk between the young #avocado trees so we can seed the #covercrop just before the rain arrives. We'll get the equipment ready and watch the weather.
A venn diagram that would be useful for more Americans to understand
November 3, 2025 at 4:59 PM
A venn diagram that would be useful for more Americans to understand
85 degrees and 25% RH just after 10AM. The young #avocado trees are well hydrated, but we may need to give them a little water today if the wind kicks up.
October 28, 2025 at 5:20 PM
85 degrees and 25% RH just after 10AM. The young #avocado trees are well hydrated, but we may need to give them a little water today if the wind kicks up.
3/4 of the year, we're on track to hit a pretty good water conservation number. Late spring rains, no Santa Anas, lots of mulch, efficient sprinklers and soil moisture monitoring combine for good results. Should finish around 1 acre-foot/ acre water use for 10k lbs/acre avocados
October 27, 2025 at 5:05 PM
3/4 of the year, we're on track to hit a pretty good water conservation number. Late spring rains, no Santa Anas, lots of mulch, efficient sprinklers and soil moisture monitoring combine for good results. Should finish around 1 acre-foot/ acre water use for 10k lbs/acre avocados
I believe that CA #avocados will keep a place in the market. But concentration of production in Ventura County may make it more difficult to harvest and ship fruit in the optimal window for price and quality. Not sure there's an easy way to mitigate that risk.
October 21, 2025 at 7:55 PM
I believe that CA #avocados will keep a place in the market. But concentration of production in Ventura County may make it more difficult to harvest and ship fruit in the optimal window for price and quality. Not sure there's an easy way to mitigate that risk.
Good news for consumers: wholesale avocado prices remain low. Your local retailer sets their own price, but in general it's putting downward pressure on the retail price. An oversupply may continue into the early part of the new year. Eat 'em up. Please and thank you.
October 17, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Good news for consumers: wholesale avocado prices remain low. Your local retailer sets their own price, but in general it's putting downward pressure on the retail price. An oversupply may continue into the early part of the new year. Eat 'em up. Please and thank you.
Only about 8/10 of an inch of rain at Saticoy so far, but we're seeing it reflected in soil moisture throughout the root zone of the #avocados. A little more to come before this system moves on.
October 14, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Only about 8/10 of an inch of rain at Saticoy so far, but we're seeing it reflected in soil moisture throughout the root zone of the #avocados. A little more to come before this system moves on.
For about 7000 years before people like me got involved, human beings were domesticating wild #avocados into the fruit we know and love. Today seems like a good day to acknowledge and thank them.
October 14, 2025 at 12:31 AM
For about 7000 years before people like me got involved, human beings were domesticating wild #avocados into the fruit we know and love. Today seems like a good day to acknowledge and thank them.
Roscoe looking for that rain that's supposed to be coming. Doesn't look like it yet, but they say more than an inch is expected in the next 48 hours.
October 12, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Roscoe looking for that rain that's supposed to be coming. Doesn't look like it yet, but they say more than an inch is expected in the next 48 hours.
Today's plan for irrigation and fertilizer did not survive a water valve which had stuck in the "closed" position. I got it replaced, did a few other maintenance jobs on the system, and got the water applied. But we'll need to feed the #avocados another day.
October 8, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Today's plan for irrigation and fertilizer did not survive a water valve which had stuck in the "closed" position. I got it replaced, did a few other maintenance jobs on the system, and got the water applied. But we'll need to feed the #avocados another day.
It was a great morning to learn from some of the best #avocado growers on the planet at the annual gathering of the CA Avocado Society... conveniently held only about 2 miles from Petty Ranch this year.
October 3, 2025 at 10:07 PM
It was a great morning to learn from some of the best #avocado growers on the planet at the annual gathering of the CA Avocado Society... conveniently held only about 2 miles from Petty Ranch this year.
Is it #tactober or #guactober? Why not both? Carnitas tacos with guacamole are hard to beat.
October 2, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Is it #tactober or #guactober? Why not both? Carnitas tacos with guacamole are hard to beat.