Date trees take as much water as a willow tree, yet they cannot tolerate rain or humidity. That's why dates have to be grown in the hot desert, where our average rainfall is less then 3 inches per year, and our summer temperatures reach in excess of 120 degrees.

The ground around the date trees has to be kept clear of grass and weeds which cause humidity. Special "borders" are built up around the trees in order to flood irrigate and contain the water at the root of the tree.

This special border dicker scoops up the sand and forms a border around the date trees.

These borders keep the water where it is needed, at the root of the date trees. Each tree requires approximately nine acre-feet of water per year, but only at its roots!
You could think of it as someone who likes to wade in the water, but doesn't want to get their hair wet!

The borders help conserve water and eliminate grass and weeds throughout the grove.

Our foreman is holding a small "bunch" of dates that has been cut down from the tree. Notice the thickness of the main stalk. This picture was taken early last August, before the dates had ripened.

A bunch of dates just prior to the date harvest.

Around the beginning of August, the Midol Dates are covered with a white muslin bag to protect the dates from birds and insects. The bags also help to catch any dates that ripen prior to the beginning of the date harvest.

Because each bunch is quite heavy, the fronds below the date bunches are positioned to help hold the weight of the dates.