Avocado trees are an incredibly versatile and delicious addition to any home garden. A mature avocado tree offers a variety of advantageous landscape features, including their pleasant ornamental leafy foliage, droopy branches, and novel fruit production. But how long does it actually take for an avocado tree to bear fruit?
Scientists estimate that it may typically take anywhere from three to five years for an avocado tree to produce fruit. Some trees, however, can take up to ten years before they show any signs of bearing fruit. This is due to the fact that avocados are slow growers and that tree maturity is often dependant on both environmental and genetic factors. For instance, those planted in areas of high temperature with good soil quality and adequate water supply tend to reach fruit bearing age faster than those planted in frosty climates or un-ideal soil. Another factor that may affect tree maturity is whether the avocado tree was grown from seed or grafted in a warmer climate with a desirable variety.
Although it may be an upwards of a decade before you get to reap the rewards of your avocado tree labour, using the correct strategies to encourage faster growth is essential. The best time to propagate an avocado tree is in the springtime when the temperature is warmer and the environment is more conducive to sprouting. Planting in a well-drained spot and mulching around the seed will help the soil retain more moisture and help the root system flourish. Ensuring that the avocado tree is properly maintained, including by periodically adding fertilizer and weeding, will also promote faster growth.
Fortunately, one of the main advantages of growing avocados is that they are considered a perennial crop, meaning that once an avocado tree isfruiting, it can produce fruit for several years afterward. Oftentimes, avocado farmers discover that the largest yields of their avocado crop aren’t until several years after the tree starts bearing fruits. Since the root system of an avocado tree is estimated to go as deep as twenty feet, the plant is deeply rooted in the earth and its fruit yield is surprisingly easy to maintain or increase over time with proper irrigation and fertilization.
Though it may take time getting to the point where harvesting can begin, patience is essential for any aspiring farmer, especially with an avocado tree. Just remember, the age of your tree does not directly correlate to the amount of production one can expect; so long as you are actively taking care of your tree and following the necessary steps to ensure its health, you should eventually reap the rewards you patiently worked for.
Harvesting Avocado Trees
When it’s finally time to harvest your avocado tree, the fruits should be excised from the trees with a sharp knife or kitchen shears, avoiding any potential damage to the tree or nearby foliage. As avocados are climacteric fruits, their ripeness will still continue to develop even after the fruit has been plucked from the tree. Since avocados are so sensitive and delicate, an avocado harvest basket or pad should be used when harvesting to avoid impacting the cosmetic appeal of your avocados.
Once the avocados have been harvested, inspect them thoroughly as they are very susceptible to damage. When harvesting, ensure the chosen fruits are fully formed and carefully remove the necessary sample size, as excessive picking can throw off a tree’s natural growth cycle and reduce production.
Finally, plan to pick the avocados when they are fully ripe, which the best way to determine is by judging the color and sizethe ‘right’ avocado– whether it is too soft, too hard, or just right– without cutting it open.
Cues to tell when an Avocado is Ripe
Avocado trees differ when it comes to the formation and ripening of their fruits, with some avocados taking longer to ripen, while others may ripen sooner than expected. So, to know when an avocado is ripe, it is important to be observant and patient when managing your tree.
One of the most common indicators of an avocado’s ripeness is a change in its skin color, as unripe avocados are generally much lighter in hue than more ripe ones. If you want to check the firmness of an avocado, gently squeeze the fruit to determine if it is still too hard. Additionally, ripe avocados tend to yield to slight pressure when grasped, and their skin is typically more pitted than smooth when ripe. Moreover, a ripe fruit will also yield a pleasant, faint nutty aroma.
If you want to ensure a higher rate of success, use a fruit picker or a long handle tool designed to pick avocados from tall trees. This way, you don’t have to worry about damaging or bruising the avocado when harvesting, increasing the chances of picking only the ripe ones.
Storing an Avocado
When it comes to storage, avocados require particular technique and attention. For example, ripe avocados should be consumed quickly as they tend to spoil quickly than less ripe avocados. Therefore, it isrecommended that unripe avocados are purchased prior to ripening, and the storing temperature should be moderated between 55-68°F. and proper airflow should be maintained. Additionally, ripe avocados should be stored in a slightly warmer environment, such as 65-70°F, as temperatures below 55°F can cause chilling injury.
Additionally, avocados should be stored away from fruits with high ethylene emission like apples as ethylene can cause premature ripening. The best way to store ripened avocados is in the refrigerator with the
skin on and un-cut, as freezing will cause the fruit to become unpalatable and extremely mushy. Make sure the avocados are stored away from direct sunlight, as direct sunlight can increase the rate of spoilage.
Preparing an Avocado
Avocados need to be handled with care; improper preparation will either cause it to go bad quickly, or yield an undesirable outcome. When preparing an avocado, begin by washing the fruit and removing any dirt or debris with a damp cloth. Then, use a small, sharp knife to make two intersecting scores on the avocado’s outer skin (lengthwise and crosswise), and make sure not to cut into the flesh of the avocado.
Finally, rotate the avocado in your hand to separate the two halves and twist slowly to separate the two halves. Once separated, discard the inner stone with a spoon or knife, and proceed to cutting the inner flesh for consumption. However, since avocados are a highly perishable fruit, it is advisable to finish the entire fruit in one serving. If there is an unused portion, cover it tightly with cling film and refrigerate it immediately to avoid oxidation.
Uses of Avocados
Avocados are incredibly versatile, making them incredibly popular in the kitchen. Whether it is smashed on toast, incorporated in a salad, added in a sandwich, combined with sauces, or simply scooped out and eaten on its own, the natural creamy texture of an avocado is always a delight to eat.
Not just for food consumption, avocados are gaining more popularity for their non-culinary applications. Avocado oil has recently gained lots of attention due to its anti-inflammatory properties and beneficial effects on the skin. Similarly, avocado extract has been found to be beneficial for a range of skin ailments including acne, psoriasis, and eczema. Avocado butter too, is credited with numerous skin benefits, and its wide range of fatty acids and moisturizing properties make it an ideal component of lip masks and skin moisturizers.
The roots of the avocado tree are also renowned for their medicinal benefits, gently toning the gastrointestinal tract and containing excessive stomach acid. It has also been used to reduce fever, treat fungal infections, and alleviate respiratory issues like asthma and bronchitis.
Nutrition in an Avocado
Avocados are a nutrient dense fruit, being rich in insoluble and soluble fibers, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. The guacamole superfruit contains over 20 essential minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants, as well as a vast collection of phytonutrients. It contains essential minerals like magnesium and calcium, and vitamins including Vitamin A, E, C and the B-family vitamins.
Perhaps the most prevalent feature of an avocado is its coveted, mono-unsaturated fatty acid content. This type of non-saturated fat helps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, as well as benefit metabolic and neurological functions. Additionally, avocados are rich in fibers, which help to improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and maintain healthy cholesterol.
Conclusion
Avocados require patience, maintenance and dedication to reap their optimal yield. It may take upwards of a decade before your avocado tree bears fruit, and this is true regardless of the tree’s size and age. Proper care and maintenance is paramount when it comes to an effective harvest. Picking and storing the fruits correctly will result in a superior harvest, as well as a longer shelf life. Although it may take time to grow an avocado tree, you can always find solace in knowing that the rewards of your labour may reap benefits for years to come.