Introduction
Avocado trees are a popular and profitable crop for farmers and home gardeners alike. An avocado tree is a great addition to any homestead, providing not only delicious fruit, but also beautiful foliage and shade.
What is often unknown, however, is just how long it takes to grow an avocado tree from seed. With careful planning, the right conditions, and a bit of patience, an avocado tree can be successfully grown in the right location and in a reasonable amount of time.
Start With Healthy Seeds
The first and most important step to growing a healthy avocado tree is to start with healthy seeds. Fresh, undamaged seeds that are light brown in color are ideal, and should be planted as soon as possible after being collected from a ripe fruit.
The seeds should be soaked in warm, not hot, water overnight to soften the outer shell. Then, the seeds should be dried for about a day before being planted.
Plant in the Right Conditions
Avocado trees require plenty of sunshine and heat, so the ideal location for planting is an area that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight every day. The soil should be well-draining and nutrient-rich, and pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0.
In colder climates, avocado trees can be grown in containers, allowing them to be moved to a sheltered spot when temperatures drop. It’s also a good idea to provide some shade during the hottest part of the day when the plant is first established.
Nursery Growing vs Growing from Seed
One major factor in how long it takes to grow an avocado tree is whether you buy a tree from a nursery or whether you opt to grow it from seed. When choosing a tree from a nursery, most require a few years of growth for it to bear fruit. On the other hand, growing from seed can take anywhere from 5-13 years for a tree to produce.
Buying from a nursery is more reliable and faster, but growing from seed is an experience in itself and less expensive.
Growth Rate
Once planted in the right conditions, an avocado tree’s growth rate can be quite impressive, with the addition of at least one to two feet of growth each year. Depending on how long it takes for the tree to bear fruit, an avocado tree can be anywhere from two feet to ten feet tall when it begins to produce.
Caring For An Avocado Tree
While an avocado tree can grow quite easily on its own, proper care and maintenance is essential for achieving optimal growth and a good yield of fruit. Most avocado trees require watering during the growing season, which is typically during the warmer months. During this time, the soil should remain moist but not overly soaked.
Fertilizer should also be applied once a year to ensure that the tree is getting the nutrients it needs for strong growth. Finally, pruning the tree each year helps to promote the growth of healthy branches and helps to improve the yields.
Harvesting and Yields
While exact harvesting times vary, most avocado trees begin to bear fruit within three to six years of planting. A mature tree can yield up to 100 pounds of fruit each year, depending on the variety, size of the tree, and climate conditions.
Harvesting can take place anytime between late winter and early summer, with each tree bearing different varieties of avocado at different times. It’s important to keep an eye out for ripening avocados, as the fruit can go bad quickly once ripe.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
With proper care and maintenance, an avocado tree can thrive for many years. Along the way, however, there are some common issues that can arise. Understanding these issues can help ensure a successful crop of delicious avocados every year.
Common issues include inadequate water and nutrients, pests and diseases, and improper pruning. Understanding the symptoms of these issues, and addressing any problems quickly, is the best way to ensure the health and yield of your avocado tree.
