Recently I was reading an article about how horizontal parallels around the globe had similar climates and weather patterns. Intrigued, I investigated further. Tracing the 38th parallel from our Antelope Valley, California property, showed that the parallel crossed Calabria (Italy), Ibiza (Spain) and Izmir (Turkey)! All hot and arid locations, very much like the climate of the Southern California high desert.

Armed with this new knowledge, I sought out the fruits and vegetables that would grow best in these exotic locations. Apparently pomegranates, olives, almonds tomatoes and lemons (among others) grow well in these Mediterranean locations.

We made trial plantings to see if the additions would grow. Everything thrived, except for the lemons, which could not handle the low winter temperatures of the high desert. We proceeded to plant multiples of the successful fruits. One year later, under our bold desert sun, we have grown large pomegranates, beautiful tomatoes, almonds and large green olives.

We have been thrilled with the success of our climate-appropriate fruits and plan to add other items annually.