Local Pecans and Honey
Local Pecans: Where to buy and what kind to purchase
Sun Country Homes and Gardens are pleased to sell Pecans grown in our area. We have harvested the pecans off our trees at the store as well as pecans from a family members small orchard.
We have partnered with Matas Pecans in Roswell to shell and bag them for us and have them available at our retail location 2707 S. 1st in Artesia, NM
We noticed a need because many people were asking us where to buy pecans from the orchards that surround us. Chase Pecans supplies commercial entities and perhaps we can partner with them in the future if our sales demand a bigger source
Growing your own pecans at home
We also sell young pecan trees grown in New Mexico from a respected grower in the Las Cruces area. Pecans have a large tap root and growing them in containers is a bit more challenging than some trees. This stock not only transplants well, it is already acclimated to SE New Mexico’s environment. We sell the following cultivars.
Western Schley Pecan Tree
Excellent pecan tree growing 40 ft tall and wide, widely grown in Southern NM. Considered the King among Pecans to one of the world's largest pecan growers, Stahmann farms in Las Cruces. Burkett is a good pollinator for this variety as well as Pawnee and Wichita, although they are self fruiting. Famous for their tasty meat and thin shell, they are a great variety of home as well as commercial pecan production. One of the three main trees that are grown in the Pecos Valley and Mesilla Valley
Bradley Pecan “Queen of the Pecans”
Bradley pecans are well known for their high oil content and excellent flavor, which makes them very popular, and highly sought after pecans for gourmet goods and specialty foods. They are consistent bearers producing the same size crop each year. They are good pollinators for Western Schley. One of the three main trees that are grown in the Pecos Valley and Mesilla Valley
Burkett Pecans
One of the most common varieties grown. Produces a large, tasty nut. Plant with another pecan variety for best production. Famous for it’s high quality nut and paper thin shell it was found and cultivated by the Burkett Family in Callahan County Texas in the early 1900’s.
Pawnee Pecans
Are an excellent choice for small gardens and are more compact than many pecan varieties, only growing about 30 ft tall and wide. It is an excellent pollinator for other pecans and ripens earlier than other pecans and has a paper thin shell. The sweet pecan meat makes it a popular variety for home and commercial pecan production.
Wichita Pecan Trees
Fast growing pecan trees that are a popular variety in the Southwest. Bred at the Pecan Field Station in Brownfield, TX. Good for commercial and home production, they serve as a good pollinator variety. Early bloom and disease resistance is a good trade off for the somewhat slower growth.
Which Pecan is right for me?
Consider how much room you have to grow the pecan tree. Pay attention to overhead power lines and fence lines to see what suits your space. For instance sometimes people plant a small tree (today) under power lines only to have the power company top the tree when it encroaches too close to the lines. This is not a good growing pattern for pecan trees. Also consider the width to of the tree, will it get to close to a fence or building that will cause issues. It is also important to consider water and sewer lines in where to place a tree. Keeping them at least 6-10 ft away from main lines.
Do you need more than one tree to get nuts?
No, however more trees does increase pollination and production.
How do I get the best yield?
Regular Fertilization and water are key. Watering deeply less often is preferable to a little water every day. Commercial growers in our area flood irrigate which is a lot of water at once and then not for a long time. The goal is deep watering over just a few inches of water at the roots. We carry a specialized Pecan Fertilizer that contains additional nutrients that Pecans use for a bigger yield.
