Apricots are still the mainstay at Lucich and Santos Farms, though only one Tilton apricot tree remains from what used to be the primary variety grown. The diversified Patterson, California, grower-shipper now has more than 15 apricot varieties planted for the fresh market, along with conventional and organic peaches, nectarines, cherries, pluots, and apriums. When Dave Santos partnered with his brother-in-law Pete Lucich more than 25 years ago to grow apricots, they grew one variety–Tiltons–for processing. “We used to have 200 acres of Tiltons,” he said. “Now, we have one tree, left only because my wife loves Tiltons. If we […]