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A Beginner's Guide to Growing Avocado Trees
Growing avocado trees at home can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. They can give you amazing, delicious fruit, and also become a part of your family’s story, growing and providing year after year through the generations. There is nothing quite as enjoyable as the creamy texture and flavor of homegrown avocado.
Avocado trees are tropical and grow best in USDA growing zones 9-11. It is believed that they were first cultivated over 5,000 years ago in the Central Mexico region, which means that people have been farming avocados as long as the wheel has been around. Avocados are a very important part of the indigenous Mesoamerica history, and was believed to give strength to those who ate them. By 1521, the avocado was introduced to other parts of the world, such as Central and South America, and Europe. (1)
Click here to see our Avocado Variety Chart for the similarities and differences between varieties.
Unpacking and Acclimation:
As you unbox your avocado tree, take a moment to appreciate the journey it's been on, from grafted seedling to tree. Once you've done that, remove the protective plastic bag, then water your tree well. Now you can start the process of acclimating your tree to your home and climate. Gradually introduce your tree to its outdoor environment, shielding it from direct sunlight for the first few weeks to prevent any shock. Acclimating your greenhouse-grown avocado tree is vital to the success of the tree in its first season. It will shock the tree if you put it in direct sunlight for too long the first couple of weeks. The ideal location is outside in a spot by the house with indirect sunlight that gets an hour or two of direct light throughout the day. After the acclimation period, you can move your adjusted tree into its final location. Remember, patience is key during the acclimation process. The acclimation process can take 2-3 weeks.
Choosing the Perfect Spot:
Avocado trees thrive in sunny, well-drained locations. Select a spot in your garden that receives 8 hours of sunlight every day. In areas with high summer temperatures, select a location with afternoon shade. Young trees like our Primo sized trees do benefit from a year or two of container growing before planting it directly in the ground under full sun. The young leaves and trunk are still susceptible to sunburn, so if you are planting it straight away, take care to protect your tree from excessive sun exposure the first two years.
Planting Preparation:
Prepare your planting site with care, ensuring the soil is well-draining and free from heavy clay. If your soil doesn't meet these criteria, consider building a raised mound to elevate your tree above the troublesome soil. Once your ground is prepped you can dig a hole in your soil as deep as your tree pot and make sure to plant no deeper than the soil level of the tree. Avoid piling up any soil against the trunk as this can encourage rot and fungal activity. If you live in a climate that regularly drops below 32°F you will need to provide frost protection during winter or grow indoors as the cold will severely damage your tree. **It is very important to avoid disturbing the roots at all when planting. They are fragile and very sensitive to disruption.
Container Considerations:
For those with limited space, growing avocado trees in pots or containers is a viable option. Some varieties that can be grown in pots include GEM, Holiday and Little Cado. Avocados will eventually need at least a 20-gallon container for their spreading root systems and expect your tree to reach about 10-12 feet at maturity. This should be done over time starting with a smaller container and working your way up gradually. Much like outdoor growing, provide a warm location with 8+ hours of sun per day and plant in a well-draining soil mix. Again, in areas with high summer temperatures, select a location with afternoon shade.
Gem Avocado Tree
$70.00
--OVERVIEW-- Semi-compact and vase shaped tree, the GEM avocado tree is perfect for small gardens. GEM avocados are one of the richest and creamiest avocados. Known for their delicious flavor and texture. GEM Avocados do not ripen on… read more
Holiday Avocado Tree
$70.00
--OVERVIEW-- Holiday Avocado trees are Guatemalan A-type avocado trees that are highly productive. Fruit is pear-shaped, about 18-24 oz., and its green fruit holds to the tree very well. It was named Holiday because the fruit ripens between Labor… read more
Little Cado Avocado Tree
$70.00
--OVERVIEW-- Available Fall 2025. Little Cado Avocado trees are also Known as Minicado and Wurtz/Wertz Avocado. The Little Cado makes an excellent backyard tree. Produces good-tasting, green-skinned fruit with medium-thin skin. Height at maturity: 10-15' tall The fruit size… read more
Watering Wisdom:
When growing avocado trees, strike a balance with your watering regimen. Avocados prefer deep, infrequent watering over shallow, frequent drenching. Monitor the soil moisture closely and adjust your watering schedule accordingly, ensuring your tree remains hydrated but not waterlogged.
Nourishment and Mulching:
Feed your avocado tree with a balanced fertilizer to support its growth and development. Apply a generous layer of mulch around the base of the tree to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect the roots from temperature fluctuations. We recommend G&B Organics Citrus & Fruit Tree Fertilizer.
G&B Organics Fruit, Citrus & Berry Fertilizer (6-4-2)
$14.00
--OVERVIEW-- New Packaging! Grow better tasting, more nutritious fruit and produce more abundant crops. Blended special organic formula for feeding fruit trees 6-4-2 Includes beneficial microbes to build life in the soil to support healthy plant growth OMRI Listed for… read more
Pruning:
Focus on shaping and thinning rather than aggressive pruning, and be mindful of exposing the trunk to excessive sunlight.
Weather Watch:
For the first few years of growing avocado trees, it is crucial that you protect or shield your avocado trees from extreme weather conditions, whether it's scorching summer heat or frosty winter chills. A little protection goes a long way in safeguarding your tree's health and vitality. For hot days, consider protecting your tree with IV Organics Tree Paint, which acts as a sunscreen for your young tree. You can also provide them with afternoon shade. Create a shade covering for young trees using a tomato cage and shade cloth.Use frost cloth covers and non-LED Christmas lights to protect your trees from freezing temperatures. They thrive in temperatures between 50 F- 80 F, and can not tolerate temperatures below 30 F.
1. Source: https://avocadosfrommexico.com/avocados/history/
