Poca de Gracia Ranch

We fled LA about 20 years ago to find a bit more space. Ojai has been more than that with a beautiful valley filled with really nice people- and a reintroduction to the occupation of our ancestors- growing things! Our two sons grew up here, sharing the chores and learning as we went along. We grow Pixies because we like them. In 1988 we had one Pixie tree on the ranch, didn't know what it was, but everybody loved the product. Over several years we planted more & more trees, now with about 500. Except for picking and nutritional spray service in June, we do the chores ourselves, occasionally hiring a Nordhoff High School football player for more muscle. Beneficial insects are released every month with great control of bad bugs so no sprays have been needed this century.

We left about a quarter acre as meadow so the coyotes would have a comfy place to sleep. Most mornings you can see the flattened grass were they spent the night.

The East End of Ojai is made of a glacial moraine- the dirt & rocks pushed forward by a glacier which has since disappeared. So, we have plenty of rocks and great soil drainage- good for citrus, bad for hole diggers.

Every day seems to get prettier. By the way- poca de gracia is what you need to dance the Bamba.

Member of the Ojai Pixie Tangerine Growers Association. Find out more at www.ojaipixies.com