Growing an avocado tree in Colorado is a challenge due to the cooler climate and short growing season. Even so, these timber trees can grow in the Centennial State, with the right combination of preparation, conditions, and care. While home gardeners may get lucky, commercial growers of avocado trees in Colorado need to be prepared for the challenge.
Avocados are warm-weather, subtropical species of trees, and can’t tolerate cold temperatures that fall below freezing for too long. The reality is that most of Colorado, except for the mild climate regions in the south, can expect temperatures that are much lower than what an avocado needs to survive. Therefore, if you plan to grow an avocado tree in the Centennial State, you need to be aware of the risk.
Winter temperatures pose an obvious challenge when growing an avocado tree in Colorado, but so does the wet climate. Avocado trees thrive in dry climates and the soil needs to be well-drained and with very little organic matter. That is why the trick is to find higher-ground with well-draining soil and a location that gets just the right amount of sun. In addition, an avocado tree should be embedded in a grassy area where wind and cold weather won’t catch it off-guard, like in a protected nook close to a building or in a corner of a courtyard.
Most growers of avocado trees in Colorado recommend closely monitoring your tree for disease and insect pests. While a healthy avocado tree can survive in the Centennial State, keep an eye out for pests such as scale, aphids, and white-fly, and diseases like anthracnose and avocado root rot. Prune your plant carefully to encourage the right kind of growth and make sure it gets enough nutrients and water in the recommended amounts.
Experts say that the avocado tree grown in Colorado should be treated as an annual tree. This means that you should expect it to produce fruit every year, but you can’t count on the tree to survive the harsh winter. When winter arrives, you can bring your avocado tree indoors and watch it closely during the cold months. With the right kind of protection and warm-enough conditions during winter, your tree could make it to the following spring. Another option is to look for tubbed or potted avocado varieties that you can take indoors when the temperatures drop too low.
Overall, growing an avocado tree in Colorado is not impossible, but it does require a lot of dedication and effort. If you’re up for the challenge and you have your heart set on an avocado tree, you have a small chance of success if you follow the advised growing tips, give your tree enough sunshine and keep an eye out for signs of trouble.
Choosing the Right Variety
When looking to grow an avocado tree in Colorado, it’s important to choose a variety that can fit the climate. While some trees are hardier than others, it’s essential to pick one that can withstand winter lows and summer heat. Experts recommend going for the West Indian varieties, such as ‘Hass’, ‘Fuerte’, ‘Holiday’, ‘Choquette’, ‘Reed’ and ‘Lamb’, which are hardier and more suitable for the Centennial State.
The ‘Hass’ is one of the more popular varieties, grown similarly from California to Mexico, and commonly sold in supermarkets. This particular type is the only one that will bloom in the cold winter months in Colorado and is known to be especially prolific with its seasonal yield.
The ‘Fuerte’, ‘Bacon’, and ‘Holiday’ varieties can also do well in Colorado, but they blend two different Mexican varieties with a West Indian variety, and therefore are not as cold-hardy as the ‘Hass’. Finally, some growers in the Centennial State are experimenting with the ‘Reed’ variety, with mixed results.
Soil Conditions and Fertilizing
When it comes to growing an avocado tree in Colorado, the soil quality plays an important role. The key is to start with a deep, loose, and well-draining soil. A sandy loam is the best choice for an avocado tree, and you can also add some compost and organic matter to increase the nutrients and lighten up the soil.
If the pH of your soil is too high, you’ll need to buff it out with sulfur to get it down to around 6.0 to 6.8. You can also add fertilizer to the mix in order to get better results. A slow-release fertilizer is ideal and should look for one with a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (N-P-K) ratio of 1-2-1. Experts suggest using a fertilizer that has more phosphorus and potassium and less nitrogen, as avocado trees don’t require excessive amounts of the macro-nutrient.
A liquid fertilizer can be applied around the roots of your avocado tree every few weeks during the growing season. This can help a lot in maintaining a healthy tree and encouraging a quality yield. Make sure to read the label and follow the instructions closely in order to get the best results.
Water Requirements
Watering your avocado tree is essential to its health, especially during its first summer and fall season. While the Centennial State has quite a wet climate, and the tree could benefit from some of this moisture, the soil should still drain well and the tree should not be overwatered. You can opt for drip irrigation instead to ensure that your avocado tree is drawing just the right amount of water.
Once your tree is established and producing fruit, you can water it once a week to a depth of about six to eight inches but be sure to check the soil first. If the soil is wet, don’t water your tree. A few inches of mulch can help a lot in trapping the moisture, preventing evaporation and reducing the amount of water you need to give your tree.
Pruning the Tree
You should prune your tree from time to time, mostly during its first two or three years when it is still establishing its shape. Some vertical pruning may be necessary and you can also thin out competing branches and shoots. Pruning is important to reduce the total weight on the branches, prevent leaf diseases, and to allow more sunlight and air to circulate in order to prevent mold and mildew.
However, be sure to keep only one main leader and leave room for secondary branches to form. If you see any diseased branches, they should be pruned immediately before the disease spreads to the rest of the tree. Like most fruit trees, an avocado tree needs some pruning to encourage structure and better fruit production.
Protection from Cold
As mentioned above, cold temperatures can quickly damage an avocado tree. The soil around the tree can provide some insulation, and some layers of mulch can help protect the roots from the cold. However, these steps alone may not be enough to protect your tree against frost, ice, and snow.
Be sure to wrap up your tree in blankets and burlap bags in order to maintain a warmer temperature. You can also construct a container from wood or plastic that can hold the layers of insulation in order to provide extra protection. If it snows, use a broom or a hose to remove the snow on your tree to prevent breakage and other issues.
Harvesting the Fruit
Finally, be sure to keep an eye out for signs of ripening. Ripe avocados will become deep or dark green and should be picked when they’re still slightly firm. You can also use the squeezing method to find out if an avocado is ripe; if it gives slightly under mild pressure, it should be ready for picking. If you’re not sure, wait a few more days. The fruit will continue ripening off the tree, once you pick it.
An avocado tree grown in Colorado is not going to be as robust as one grown in a more suitable climate, but it can still offer significant rewards with the right care. If you’re up for the challenge, go ahead and give it a go. Preparation, conditions, and a bit of luck are in your favor.
