All things Antelope Valley thread (Santa Clarita, Lancaster: neighborhood, live, gardening)

[kttam186290]

Lots of interesting things going on in the Antelope Valley lately with regard to development.

--The new promenade and parking garage going in near Palmdale Regional Hospital.
--The Medical Main Street concept in Lancaster by the AV Hospital
--The expansion of Kaiser Permanente's presence
--The growth of BYD's manufacturing sector
--The growth of Rexhall's RV manufacturing sector
--The new Northrop contracts at Plant 42
--NASA's "Sofia" project
--changes at the Los Angeles/West Coast FAA at Palmdale Regional Airport
--Industry/research growth at the Mojave Space Port
--The continuing redevelopment of Lancaster Blvd
--The growing retail presence in Palmdale near the AV Mall
--The strengthening of military/flight research at Edwards AFB
--The High Desert Corridor project
--The Centennial project on the far-west end of the valley out by Gorman
--The Kinkysharo light rail manufacturing in Palmdale
And now there are rumors of an Amazon Fulfillment Center going in somewhere in Lancaster(?)

I've always found the AV a very fascinating place. It is the last region of the Los Angeles Metropolitan area with ample room to grow and expand. Because of that, it is in a really unique position to benefit economically.

[HB2HSV]

Thank you kttam. You're well-informed on AV.

I've said this on another thread. Zillow estimated house appreciated $10K - $15K in just last 30 day alone. In our house hunting experience, those houses priced right in a desirable neighborhood lasted as short as 48 hours. We missed out a couple of them because by the time we see them there were already a couple of offers received by the seller.

PS- anyone knows about the new Palmdale Hospital? I've heard it's very good but don't know if they admit the general public?

[kttam186290]

Originally Posted by HB2HSV

Thank you kttam. You're well-informed on AV.

I've said this on another thread. Zillow estimated house appreciated $10K - $15K in just last 30 day alone. In our house hunting experience, those houses priced right in a desirable neighborhood lasted as short as 48 hours. We missed out a couple of them because by the time we see them there were already a couple of offers received by the seller.

PS- anyone knows about the new Palmdale Hospital? I've heard it's very good but don't know if they admit the general public?

Yes, It's a contractual hospital, meaning the staff is all contract workers. It won an award for being one of the cleanest hospitals in the U.S. last year. I have used it when I've been out visiting my brother who lives in Palmdale. Nice place! They took my health plan (Anthem Blue Cross).

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by kttam186290

Yes, It's a contractual hospital, meaning the staff is all contract workers. It won an award for being one of the cleanest hospitals in the U.S. last year. I have used it when I've been out visiting my brother who lives in Palmdale. Nice place! They took my health plan (Anthem Blue Cross).

Thanks again kttam. I have nationwide Blue Cross/ Blue Shield so I will keep this in mind if my family requires hospital care.

[HB2HSV]

Planting trees/ plants in Antelope Valley.

Anyone has experience to share?

My (future) house faces west so I want to plant tree in front of window to shade the afternoon sun. I am not interested in a humongous tree, but something that will grow 20~25 feet would be ideal. Deciduous would be nice since I'd like to get winter sun into the house.

I like flowering trees. I think it adds accent to the house. I like either Crabapple or Crepe Myrtle but don't know how they do with the afternoon sun in AV? I also read that Western Redbud is native to California, is that a good choice? I have a Eastern Redbud currently and it's a beautiful tree.

At some point I will start my backyard fruit trees. I have identified plum, Asian pears, and maybe Apple trees. A couple of raised bed, 4 X 8', is also in the plan for a vegetable garden. This will cut down the amount of lawn in backyard which is fine by me.


Any experience/ comments are welcome.

[stillsue-z]

Neil Wiesenberger writes a column on Desert Gardening in the Antelope Valley Press and often writes on which trees are good here and which are not, focus is on tract homes. Also the AV conservation resource nursery out on the west side would be a good place to consult or try the county ag office for advice. I've not seen a crab apple here tho they may grow but I seriously doubt you will have much luck with a Crepe Myrtle. Whatever you do don't plant a Bradford pear! Winters in the past (not so much now with climate change) often got down in the teens at night in AV, mainly in Dec. and Jan. The drought has wiped out a lot of trees in AV and in the mountains along with bark beetle damage. I have a lot of shade trees, they are mostly eldarica and aleppo pines, a few fruitless mulberries and a couple of volunteer elms and every single one of them has damage from recent years. All my fruit trees have died except for one nectarine so be prepared to water lots! Also getting any fruit from your trees is always dicey, many years late freezes wipe out the blossoms, along with wind and the too warm years not enough winter chilling hours to set fruit. Not to discourage, good years can be great. West facing houses can be extremely hot in our long summer so shade is a huge consideration.

[HB2HSV]

Thanks for replying, stillsue-z.

I have been reading up on shade trees in the high desert. It's nice to learn about native plants & trees in my new environment. The Palo Verde tree peaked my interest. It's a handsome tree, very drought tolerant, and offers a wide spread perfect for shade. Any experience?

The other concern I have is the sustained wind which can reach over 80 mph. I worry while the tree is young this can bend them to a permanent deformation. On some neighborhoods I see ALL trees bend toward one direction. Is this common?

Yes, I am concerned about the water consumption on fruit trees. I guess I'll go slow, only plants a couple at a time to see how much water they take.

[stillsue-z]

Palo Verde is more a low desert tree but I have seen some around here, mainly in commercial settings.Yes the trees do bend here. About half my pines, which are mature, are bent. The wind tends to come out of the northwest most of the time. You might try the dwarf varieties of fruit trees. The winter chilling hours are important to consider. Too cold here on the other hand for citrus. Some varieties of apples grow, they do better up in the hills than on the valley floor tho. Pears, peaches, almonds and cherries were grown here commercially at one time (there are still a few small orchards around in Littlerock and Leona Valley). I had the best luck (prior to the drought) with peaches and cherries, never tried any nut trees. Plum, nectarine and apricot did fair.If you like them you might consider putting in a grape arbor, grapes do very well here, main problem is the grape leaf skeletonizer insect. There are a couple small commercial wineries around too.

[Brandon Graves]

Question: Why is it that some locals do not consider the Antelope Valley a "true" desert? I mean, I'm pretty sure there are Joshua trees, athel tamarisks, cacti, and other desert whatnot... I don't quite get it...

[stillsue-z]

The Antelope Valley is high desert, different ecosystem and elevation than the low desert, both are part of the Mojave desert of course. I think some people mistakenly think that only low desert is the real desert. My guess is it's because of the stereotype of what the desert "should" look like.