Avocados, with their creamy texture and rich flavour, have gained popularity in recent years. If you have the space available in your own garden, I would recommend that you consider growing an avocado tree - home grown is always much better than store bought!
While avocado trees require some patience and specific conditions to thrive, the satisfaction of nurturing your own avocado plant and enjoying its bountiful harvest is truly rewarding. The following information will help you grow your own avocado trees, and during the appropriate time of the year; enjoy a wonderful harvest.
Choosing the Right Variety
Avocado trees come in various varieties, each with its own unique characteristics. When selecting a variety, consider factors such as climate suitability, tree size, and fruit characteristics. Some popular avocado varieties for home cultivation include in various conditions include:
Subtropical or tropical Climates:
Hass: The Hass avocado is one of the most popular and widely cultivated varieties worldwide. It produces small to medium-sized fruits with a rich, creamy texture and a nutty flavor. Hass avocados are known for their dark, pebbled skin that turns purplish-black when ripe.
Fuerte: The Fuerte avocado is another popular variety, particularly in tropical and subtropical areas. It is a medium to large fruit with a smooth, green skin. The flesh is pale green, creamy, and has a slightly nutty taste. Fuerte avocados are known for their high oil content and are great for both eating and guacamole.
Reed: The Reed avocado is a large-sized variety with a smooth, green skin that remains green even when fully ripe. It has a creamy, buttery texture and a mild, nutty flavor. Reed avocados are well-suited to tropical and subtropical climates and are known for their ability to withstand heat and humidity.
Cooler Climates:
Bacon: The Bacon avocado is known for its cold hardiness and can tolerate temperatures as low as 25°F (-4°C). It produces medium-sized fruits with a smooth, green skin. The flesh is pale yellow and has a mild, buttery flavor. Bacon avocados are an excellent choice for cool coastal regions and can even handle some frost.
Zutano: Zutano avocados are moderately cold-tolerant and can withstand temperatures as low as 26°F (-3°C). They produce medium to large-sized fruits with a thick, green skin. The flesh is pale green, creamy, and has a mild flavor. Zutano avocados are often used for their early-season fruit production and their ability to handle cooler climates.
Gwen: While Gwen avocados are primarily suited for tropical and subtropical regions, they have shown some tolerance to cooler temperatures. They can handle temperatures as low as 28°F (-2°C). Gwen avocados produce medium to large-sized fruits with a thin, glossy, green skin. The flesh is pale green, creamy, and has a rich, buttery flavour.
Climate and Growing Conditions
Avocado trees thrive in warm subtropical or tropical climates, although as mentioned above, there are some varieties that are tolerant of cooler climates. They mostly require a frost-free environment and do best in regions with mild winters and long, warm summers. The ideal temperature range for most avocado growth is between 60°F (15°C) and 85°F (29°C). Additionally, avocados need well-drained soil, as they are very sensitive to water logging.
Plant Avocado Seed or a Grafted Plant?
There are two common methods of growing avocados: planting a seed or grafting. Planting a seed can be an enjoyable experiment, but keep in mind that the resulting tree may not produce fruit true to its parent plant. For a more reliable option, consider purchasing a grafted avocado tree from a nursery. Grafted trees are clones of a parent tree known for its fruit quality and characteristics.
Soil Preparation
Avocado trees thrive in well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0 to 7.0). Before planting, prepare the soil by incorporating organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and drainage. Ensure the planting area is free from competing weeds or grass.
Planting and Care
As highlighted above, avocado trees are very sensitive to wet soil - the soil must be well draining. I would highly recommend that if you have any doubts about the drainage of the soil that you mound up the tree on top of the ground - sit the plant on cleared soil and and build the soil up around the root ball of the plant.
If the soil is very well draining, the following guide will help you plant and care for your new avocado tree:
- Dig a hole that is wider and deeper than the root ball of the tree.
- Gently remove the tree from its container, taking care not to damage the roots.
- Place the tree in the hole, ensuring that the soil line matches the level of the nursery container (but remember what I said before about drainage).
- Backfill the hole with soil, gently firming it around the roots.
- Create a shallow basin around the tree to retain water.
- Water the newly planted tree thoroughly and provide regular watering to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
- Mulch around the tree with organic materials to help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
- Prune the tree to maintain a manageable size and shape, removing any dead or damaged branches.
- For the first year, remove any flowers that form - this helps to promote strong root development
- Ensure that any growth that forms below the graft point is removed.
Fertilising
Avocado trees benefit from regular fertilising to ensure healthy growth and fruit production. Use a balanced fertiliser specifically formulated for avocados or fruit trees. Avoid over-fertilising, as excessive nitrogen can lead to leafy growth at the expense of fruit production.
Sunlight and Protection
Avocado trees require full sun exposure to thrive and produce abundant fruit. Choose a sunny location in your garden that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Protect young trees from harsh winds and provide shade during scorching summers, especially in hot climates, to prevent leaf burn.
Pest and Disease Management
Avocado trees can be susceptible to pests such as scale insects, mites, and borers. Regularly inspect your tree for signs of infestation and take appropriate measures, such as applying organic insecticides or using integrated pest management techniques. Additionally, keep an eye out for common diseases like root rot and anthracnose. Proper irrigation practices, good drainage, and overall tree health are essential in preventing these issues.
Patience and Harvesting
Growing avocados requires patience, as it can take several years for a young tree to reach maturity and produce fruit. Avocado trees typically take 3-4 years or longer to bear fruit, depending on the variety and growing conditions. Once the fruit is mature, it will take several months to ripen. Harvest avocados when they reach the desired size and colour, usually by gently twisting or cutting them from the tree.
Typically, avocados do not ripen on the tree. They will usually ripen several days to a couple of weeks after harvesting or falling off the tree.
