How to Plant an Avocado Tree in Soil
Planting an avocado tree in soil is a great way to produce your own avocados and nurture a unique, tropical plant. Though the project requires several steps and a fair amount of patience, the result is a beautiful, nearly self-sufficient tree that produces a tasty crop of avocados for years to come.
The initial preparing step for planting an avocado tree in soil is to choose a location that receives enough sunlight throughout the day, as avocado trees need bright, direct sunlight in order to thrive. The spot should be well-draining and far away from other trees or structures that could block sunlight. The soil must not be heavily sedimentary in order to have sufficient drainage and allow the tree’s roots to sink deep and prosper.
Once you have chosen a suitable place, the avocado tree must be prepped for planting. Ideally, a container-grown tree should be planted anywhere in the spring, right after the last frost. The soil should be liberally amended with compost and sand to improve drainage. With the help of a shovel, the soil must be broken up into fine soil soil. Take the tree out of its container, loosening the root ball before using the shovel to dig a hole two or three times the width of the container. Place the tree in the center of this hole, ensuring that the root ball is set at the same depth as it was in the container. The soil must then be carefully filled in around the root ball and packed tightly with your hands.
After planting, the tree needs to be mulched but not overmulched. A two or two-and-a-half-inch layer of organic material such as bark, leaves and wood chips should be achieved. This helps the soil maintain its moisture and prevents the tree’s shallow roots from becoming overly exposed. Lastly, water the tree liberally, moistening the soil with at least an inch of water weekly.
Fertilizing an Avocado Tree
Once planted, avocado trees are in need of nutrients in order to grow and produce a bountiful harvest. Avocado trees are heavy nitrogen-demanding plants and need to be fertilized once a year to prevent nutrient deficiencies. A slow-release fertilizer applied in the early spring is typically the best way to meet this requirement, allowing the plant to absorb the fertilizer gradually and over a long period of time.
Another option for fertilizing an avocado tree is to use natural fertilizers such as compost, earthworm castings and fish emulsions. Compost provides balanced nutrients that can help the avocado tree get the nourishment it needs, while earthworm castings are thought to help the tree absorb nutrients rapidly. Fish emulsion is nitrogen-rich and can be diluted and used about every six weeks.
Pruning an Avocado Tree
Avocado trees require regular pruning in order to foster proper growth and better fruit production. This is especially important for young avocado trees, as proper pruning will sculpt their eventual shape and attitude. In the case of adult trees, pruning can help increase sunlight penetration while also removing dead and diseased branches.
Pruning is performed by trimming back branches to a scant one or two inches of their original length. Reaching as far inside the branch as possible, snip limbs near their base as that encourages new growth. Dead and broken branches require immediate pruning as such limbs can lead to disease.
Training an Avocado Tree
Avocado trees need proper training to ensure that the tree grows in a productive and healthy manner. At the beginning of its life, the main leader should be the size of a pencil and the two main branches should be at least a foot in length. Insects must also be removed as they can impair the tree’s ability to grow.
When selecting the main stem of the avocado tree, the stem should be placed at an 8-10 o’clock angle in order to properly support the weight of the crop. Furthermore, the bottom branches should be eliminated so that the main stem is completely visible; this helps to encourage proper growth. If the tree is allowed to grow too bushy, bear in mind that the tree will struggle to support the weight of larger avocado yields.
Protecting Your Avocado Tree from Diseases
Avocado trees are subject to certain diseases, such as root rot, powdery mildew and black streak disease. To properly protect the tree, you should inspect it for any signs of disease or pest damage. Symptoms of root rot include yellowing and wilting leaves, as well as general poor appearance. Powdery mildew and black streak disease manifest as powdery, gray spots on leaves and stems.
If these diseases have affected your tree, the best course of action is to treat with an appropriate fungicide. At the same time, try to keep the environment around the tree clean and free of any debris to ensure that the soil is not infected. And, if your tree is already diseased, improve soil drainage and water the tree only when necessary.
Maintaining Your Avocado Tree
Maintaining an avocado tree over the long-term requires regular watering, fertilizing and pruning. However, lacking these general maintenance activities can also seriously impact the tree’s health and productivity. To ensure that your tree looks and feels its best, check for pests and diseases often, watch for any signs of stress, and provide the necessary nutrients for the tree to achieve optimal growth.
Watering an avocado tree is especially important; the soil must remain consistently moist during the warmer months and can dry slightly during the cooler months. Furthermore, it may be necessary to cut back certain branches if they’re either damaged or blocking other branches from receiving adequate sunlight. Lastly, remove any fruit as soon as it’s ripe in order to promote further growth and health.
Recognizing and Treating Nutrient Deficiencies in Avocado Trees
Avocado trees are very vulnerable to nutrient deficiencies and, as a result, require regular supplements to ensure their optimal health. If the tree is regularly exposed to any form of stress, such as disease, pests or drought, nutrient deficiencies can be compounded.
Nutrient deficiencies can be recognized by signs such as yellowing leaves or brown marks along leaf edges. The best course of action is to find a soil testing kit and measure the nitrogen, potassium, phosphorous and calcium levels of your soil. Depending on the results, certain amendments may be necessary in order to boost the nutrient levels in your soil. Compost, for example, is a great way to provide a balance of nutrients for a tree in need.
Harvesting Avocados From Your Tree
Harvesting the fruit from your own avocado tree can be a satisfying experience, but requires a bit of patience. With that said, avocados are typically ready to be harvested when their skin has fully hardened, usually happened around 6-9 months after initial bloom. The fruit should not be plucked directly off of the tree as this could damage the branch. Instead, a pair of pruning shears should be used in order to sever the stem at its base. Once the fruit has been pulled off with the stem still attached, it can be stored at room temperature and will ripen within a matter of days.
Pruning and Training After Harvesting
After harvesting, it may be necessary to perform additional maintenance in order to ensure that the tree remains healthy and properly shaped. In the same way that the avocados are harvested by cutting off the stem, thinning can be done by cutting off branches with a pair of pruning shears. Additionally, consider trimming back any tall, lateral branches that may end up blocking other branches from sunlight. Lastly, follow-up with any necessary fertilizers in order to encourage regrowth and good health.
Repotting an Avocado Tree
Older avocado trees may require repotting in order for it to successfully spread its roots and sustain a long, healthy life. To repot, the tree should be taken out of its existing planter and placed in a larger vessel – with a drainage hole to ensure proper drainage – that is at least one size larger than the existing container. Keep in mind that the plant may have become rootbound, so it’s important to gently loosen the root ball before placing the tree in its new planter.
Once potted, the tree should be monitored for any changes in growth or presentation. The soil should be regularly checked for moisture and fertilized at least every 6 months. Creating a compost that can be used in the spring and summer can help keep the soil refreshed and full of nutrients, helping the tree to flourish.
Conclusion
By following the right preparation, planting and maintenance methods, you can have a healthy and thriving avocado tree in your own garden. Keeping the tree adequately watered, free from pests and diseases and properly fed are all essential to ensure that it grows to its full potential. With some patience, knowledge and care, you can have a tree that produces a delicious harvest of avocados for many years to come.
