On the way to work I passed Graham’s Pear Shed. This old building has been standing for over 100 years. Bill Graham moved here from southern California about 20 years ago. He had grown oranges down there, so when he moved here he planted Oranges and Mandarins. At his elevation, 1400’ it has to be one of the higher and most northern orange groves around. He used to have all cherries but they don’t have a long lifespan in our heavy soil. So as they died he planted citrus. There are no pears at Grahams Pear Shed. The pear industry died out in the 1950's as a result of disease.

You can stop by his shed and pick a bag of mandarins up for $3.00. He also had some apples. In spring you can stop and get the Bing Cherries from his surviving trees! He operates on the honor system with arrows pointing where to leave your money.

So much happens here in fall when it comes to plants. Fall is like spring for our native plants with the Coyote Bush in bloom and the berries hanging in the Toyon. Unfortunately most folk’s don’t realize the benefits of fall planting and miss out. It’s hard to blame them with the holidays coming and the shortening days.