Mark Twain called it “the most delicious fruit known to men.”

He was referring to the cherimoya, a living fossil from the highland valleys of Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.

Ripe cherimoya spoils quickly and is hard to ship, so it’s considered a luxury fruit outside its growing regions.

Many plants produce natural defenses to deter pests and herbivores. Cacti and roses bear thorns, while other plants rely on toxic compounds.

This can be a problem for kids and pets if they explore the world through their mouths.

Unlike traditional gardening, which relies on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, permaculture mimics natural ecosystems, where plants, animals, and the environment work together in a self-sustaining system.

For Southern California gardeners facing drought conditions and rising environmental concerns, permaculture can be a practical method of conserving water, building healthy soil, and producing abundant harvests.