Avocado Trees

If you plant this tropical fruit tree as a container plant, make sure you place it in a region that receives at least 6 hours of sun per day. You should position it in your home in front of a big window that receives direct sunlight in the afternoon.

If you can plant your tree in the ground, the best area would be the southern side of your home in a well-drained soil region. If your yard tends to retain a lot of water, modify the soil with sand or other gritty material.

After you've selected your location, dig a hole that is two to three times wider and deeper than the plant's shipped container. Then, place your Avocado Tree, backfill the soil and water to settle the roots. As far as a consistent watering schedule goes, these tropical fruits will need frequent deep waterings once or twice a week - just ensure you let the soil dry out a little between waterings.

Do not fertilize your tree in the first year. After the first year, you can fertilize with a well-balanced fertilizer, following label instructions.

And pruning is simple - the only time you'll prune your tree is in the late winter or early spring to get rid of dead wood. If you want to maintain a certain height, trim the tree lightly by cutting the tallest branch off the tree, and to maintain width, trim the longest branch and work your way in each year by cutting another branch.

It depends on your variety - for example, Hass Avocados are ready to harvest as early as February but can be harvested as late as September. Cold Hardy Avocados usually ripen between November and March, and Condo Avocados are typically harvested from July through September. Keep in mind that the longer the fruit stays on the tree, the richer the taste.

But be sure to pick the fruit since they will not fall off the tree and will never ripen!