Nutty Alternative: Some California growers are planting more of a traditionally Southeastern nut, the pecan

摘要

ON THE face of it, planting pecans in California seems downright, well, nutty. When the state has a veritable exclusive on such high-dollar nuts as almonds and walnuts — both of which continue to command attractive prices — why would growers be planting pecans? "They like marginal soils," answers Gary Vance, the president of the California Pecan Growers Association. "They actually prefer low-class soils." Vance, who farms 110 acres of pecans in Corning, a couple hours north of Sacramento, freely admits most growers would opt for almonds or walnuts. But in some situations, pecans are a nice alternative. "Sure, if you've got good almond ground or walnut ground, you wouldn't want to even think of growing pecans," he says. "But they are a very good option for anyone growing on marginal soils."