Avocados demand special climate conditions that exist in only a few places in the world. They prefer temperatures below 100°F, but are unable to tolerate freezing; which makes the mild climate of the Arroyo Grande Valley a prime location for an avocado ranch.		Avocado farming is a labor intensive activity; trees must be watered daily and fertilized on a regular basis. Avocado trees prefer loose, decomposed granite or sandy loam, they will not survive in locations with poor drainage.
Young trees such as those at RWG produce fruit at an average of about 100 pieces per tree, while older trees can produce as many as 400 to 500 avocados each.		The avocado tree is a medium to large evergreen with large, leathery, deep green leaves and inconspicuous yellow-green flowers. Avocado Trees can grow as high as 65 feet tall.
In order to properly mature, avocados must remain on the tree for at least 14 months before being harvested. Avocados will not fully ripen until after they are removed from the tree.		Once picked, avocados ripen in a few days at room temperature. Avocados can be left on the tree for several months, however, if the fruit remains unpicked for too long, it will eventually fall to the ground.