CHINO VALLEY CHANGES

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We have grown and evolved with the town, and the future looks to hold more of the same. Population growth has brought the usual mixture of good and undesirable changes, but on the whole, the social environment has improved.

The Chino climate is great, and the air is clean. We're at 5,000 feet and have four seasons. The growing season is 120 days (May 15 to September 15), and we can raise nearly any vegetable we want on a homegarden scale. Our sweet corn will knock your socks off! Insect problems are minimal, and there are few biting bugs, a fact which makes summer evenings outdoors a starry pleasure. However, fruit is difficult to grow. Mature apples and pears are pretty reliable but not commercially feasible; apricots are a one-in 20 shot. The warm spring days make the trees flower early, then the cold, dry, highplains nights initiate our annual rite: The Death of the Fruit Blossoms. (Want to trade fruit for homegrown corn and garlic?)

Water is a key resource that's now tightly controlled. The water table is dropping steadily, and if you don't have early-priority grandfather water rights, you may be limited to irrigating only one-half acre in some areas—and, in this region, you have to irrigate everything almost all the time. Soils are alkaline and need lots of organic matter and mulching for water conservation, pH control, and protection from the sun.

All in all, northern Arizona has treated us very well, and we want to return the favor by enjoying and preserving this place and by contributing what we can to improving life here for everyone.

sIf you decide to come here, be prepared, be adaptable, and be kind and you'll be welcomed.

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