What Is The Ideal Location For An Avocado Tree?
Avocado trees require an abundance of sunlight and well-draining soil in order to thrive. When designing the ideal location for your tree, pay close attention to the kind of environment you are providing in your yard. As farmers and experts agree, the most suitable environment for an avocado tree would have temperatures that range between 55 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. When planting near a wall, make sure there is ample air circulation and that frost won’t be a problem, as it can damage the fragile fruit.
Avocado trees can grow quite large, so factor the final size into where you decide to plant. Choose a location that won’t interfere with plumbing, power lines, sewer lines, or your neighbor’s property. It is important that the tree gets 8 hours of direct sunlight a day while being protected from strong winds and low temperatures.
How Should Avocado Trees Be Watered?
Watering is essential for the growth of your avocado tree. During dry months or when temperatures are high, regular irrigation is necessary. It is important to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Water for about 15 minutes frequently during long-periods of drought. Avocado’s roots require a strict watering routine, so it is best to water consistently instead of watering only when your tree looks a bit dry. Now, during winter months you might have to water less, since the tree won’t need as much water to thrive.
Which Fertilizer Should Be Used?
Avocado trees need nutrients to grow and thrive, so it is necessary to use the right fertilizer. When asked, most experts would recommend an organic fertilizer like banana peels or Epsom salt. Alternatively, you can use liquid fertilizer or pellets that are specifically designed for fruit trees. When applying the fertilizer, mix it with water and follow the product instructions. Aim to fertilize your tree after heavy rainfall, during winter months, and once every two to three months during spring and summer.
When Is The Best Time To Plant An Avocado Tree?
Timing is essential for successful results. Seeding and planting your avocado tree during winter months is ideally best. That’s because in colder regions the avocado plant will be able to establish itself in the mild climate of the winter before summer rises, when the tree will require more care. In warm climates, however, the ideal season to plant it is during the springtime, when there’s an abundance of rainfall and favorable temperatures.
What Is The Planting Process?
Before planting an avocado tree, it is important to prepare the soil beforehand. The soil should be moist and preferably enriched with compost and manure. Spread the fertilizer and soil by digging a 4” deep and wide hole, and position the avocado tree in the center. Make sure to spread the roots out evenly, fill the soil in, and water once more before finishing.
What Else To Know About Avocado Trees?
Avocado trees can take a while before they begin producing fruits. Generally, during the first year, the fruit of the tree will be unedible, and you should use it to cross-pollinate the flowers. It is important to be patient, since it can take up to four years for a tree to reach full maturity and be able to ensure a steady production of avocados.
Finally, anti-transpirants can help your tree improve its quality and harvest. Anti-transpirants are sprays used to create a protective layer on the leaves which reduces the risk of sunburn and helps to keep the tree’s moisture.
How Can Avocado Trees Be Pruned?
Pruning is an essential part of growing an avocado tree. The goal of pruning is to keep both the height and the width of the tree in check. This will help to maintain an aesthetically pleasing appearance while allowing the tree to receive its necessary resources.
When it comes to pruning an avocado tree, you will want to focus more on keeping the tree bushier rather than taller. This can be done during springtime, but the ideal season will depend on the climate you live in. While cutting away dead wood and branches, aim to maintain the conical shape of the tree.
How Should Avocado Trees Be Protected?
Avocado trees can face many health problems due to diseases, pests, or natural damages. In order to protect your tree as much as possible, using copper solutions to wards away diseases is recommended. While copper won’t kill insects, it will help to reduce nesting and the damages caused by them.
Other than that, during the winter season its fruits are much more vulnerable and prone to bad weather. Many times frost can affect an avocado tree, resulting in an entire lost crop. To prevent this, it is advisable to use a shade cloth or frost blanket during cold nights.
How To Harvest Avocados?
When your tree finally starts producing fruits, it is time to harvest. Your avocados will be ready to be collected when the skin of the fruit turns a dark color, usually dark green or purple. Fruits can take time to ripen, in some cases up to 6 months after being planted.
If the avocados are not be sweet enough and the skin is dry to the touch, it is best to wait a bit longer. On the other hand, if the skin is too dark, too slippery, or quite soft, the fruit may have already gone bad and must be discarded.
How To Extend The Life Of The Avocado Harvests?
Collecting your avocados is only half the battle as they don’t stay fresh forever. To extend their shelf life, place them in a cool and dark area, wrapping them in newspaper or paper bag. Make sure to eat them as soon as they reach full ripeness.
Another important tip is to never refrigerate the avocados unless they are already cut. Refrigerating decreases the flavor, texture, and quality of the fruit. If you do not plan to finish the whole avocado right away, you can leave it outside for a few days, then slice and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
What Are The Different Ways To Use Avocados?
Avocados are an amazing fruit, as there are endless possibilities when it comes to cooking with it. Alongside its traditional uses, from guacamole to avocado toast, you can incorporate them in salads, sandwiches, sushi, or even smoothies.
Additionally, avocados can be used for beauty treatments. Avocado oil, for instance, is rich in fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants and is widely used in lotions and balms. And, if you want to take care of your hair, an avocado hair mask can be just the thing to bring back some shine and luster to your locks.
How To Care For The Avocado Tree During Difficult Seasons?
Avocado trees need special attention during seasons with high temperatures or prolonged periods of drought. During spring, they require more irrigation, while during summer, the addition of a sunshade can help to protect the tree.
During times of extreme drought, it is important to assess the water needs of your tree. To do that, you must observe the soil layer by looking for deep cracks or a dry layer. If that is the case, you should water your tree deeply and regularly. To extend the life of the fruit, it is important to water it close to the stem of the tree, as that’s where the roots are.
How To Protect Against Avocado Pests?
As with any tree, avocado trees are often the victims of pests or other insects. To protect your tree from parasites, you can use special insect repellents that emit a garlic-like odor and drive most pests away. This technique is non-toxic and is often considered the best and safest method of controlling small rodent and pest populations.
Other than that, it is important to inspect your tree regularly and take preventive measures if necessary. Some gardeners use plastic covers on their trees to protect them from birds, pests, disease, and even intense sun exposure. Additionally, the addition of companion plants like marigolds, garlic, or basil will also help to keep pests away.
