You know I love adventures. A friend once said, “Kathy, you make walking out your front door an adventure.” So, when a friend asked me to schedule a trip a month in advance to a ranch in the Joshua Tree area, I said, “Yes.”
The day before the adventure, I called my friend, Mary Guinane, and asked what I should wear. She said, “Shorts will work, but be sure you bring gloves.” Visions of flinging hay bales, like in my childhood, danced in my head, but shorts?
I said, "Mary, what kind of ranch are we going to?" She said a date farm. Now, things were starting to make sense. So, I would need a hat, more water than we thought we might need, and my trusty phone to record the experience.
The Journey to the Date Harvest Tour
Mary picked me up, and iced lattes were waiting in the car’s central panel. So, we were off—we were heading to Sky Valley instead of Joshua Tree. It is about a 15-mile drive, but plan 25 minutes to be safe.
The owners of Desert Mountain Dates are personal friends of Mary’s, so once we ventured off the main road, she knew exactly where to turn in, with the gate wide open.
ProTip: You must make reservations for this Date Harvest Tour so they know you are coming and can open the gate.
Warm Greetings from Owners
After a brief introduction and a short visit, we headed out on a golf cart into the 2.5-acre grove of date palms. We passed their seven miniature ponies, chicken coop, and lovely beds prepared for planting their winter garden. Their four rescue dogs followed along, anticipating they would receive some imperfect dates.
Starting the Date Palm Harvest Tour
The date palm trees were planted 12 years ago on this ranch. So, with an average of 7 to 10 years before they bear dates, you can imagine these trees are very young. Admittedly, I was thrilled, for I am used to seeing date palm trees in Coachella Valley, so high ladders were needed to pick the ripened fruit.
As we drove between the roads, Rick explained how each tree had to be hand-pollinated—no animal helps with this process. So, they pollinate the blossoms on the female trees by taking the pollen from the male date palm tree. That’s why you can see date palm trees with their delicate leaves filtering the sunlight throughout Coachella Valley, but there are no dates on them.
Harvesting the Dates
Each cluster of dates is covered with a fine, plastic-coated fabric that serves two purposes:
1. It helps keep away birds, squirrels, and other animals who fancy this tasty fruit.
2. It keeps the rain off the fruit. Yes, it could be disastrous if we had a Palm Springs rainstorm with any consequence while the fruit ripens.
While the dates were covered, we shook one of the clusters, and the ripe dates fell to the bottom. Then, we moved a specially designed flat basket below the netting. We opened the netting, and the ripe dates fell into the basket. We closed it up. The owner said they visit that same cluster five more times before the season ends because dates do not ripen simultaneously.
Moving the Dates to the Sorting Area
We emptied the basket of dates we had just harvested into small bins. Then, the bin was placed on the back of the golf cart, and we headed to the sorting screens and warehouse.
The bin of dates was dumped onto the sorting screen. Rick showed us an acceptable date for packaging for purchase or mailing all over the United States.
Then he brought out a box and showed us how he packs them. Awaiting the right customer, the boxed dates wait in the cooler for the next order to be shipped.
You, too, can go on a Date Palm Harvest Tour.
The great part is that Rick Olds, the owner, doesn’t charge for his tour. Frankly, my only previous knowledge of harvesting dates was from films. Seeing, learning, and eating dates at their source was an incredible experience. Rick should have been a teacher, for he’s clear, willing to answer questions, and charming.
Arrange for Date Harvest Tour
Call Desert Mountain Dates at 760-413-0890. While he tours all year, now is the time to visit, for it is the beginning of the harvest season. You can also order some freshly picked dates.
Tell him Kathy Condon and Mary Guinane sent you—you may get a few extra smiles.
Kathy Condon is a Travel Journalist and Award-Winning Author. Her niche is luxury experiences and communities living in the shadows of larger cities. www.PalmSpringsInsiderGuide.com 760-902-3094 kathy@kathycondon.net