Avocado Trees  

THE ALL-IMPORTANT factor in growing avocados is good drainage. Build a wide basin for watering. Let fallen leaves build up to provide mulch. Most roots are in the top 2 ft. of soil, so water lightly and frequently enough to keep that layer moist but not wet. Fast drainage is important. Give heavy irrigation every third or fourth time to wash out any excess accumulated salts. This will minimize salt burn.  Following is a list of some of the most popular avocados grown in Southern California:

BACON	Upright grower; med-sized green fruit of good quality. Bears November-March. Produces when young.
FUERTE	Excellent fruit quality. Green fruit, medium-thin skin. Large spreading tree. Somewhat frost resistant. Fruit size 10-12 oz. Ripens Dec. - May.
HASS	Largest commercially produced variety. Large tree. Excellent tree. Green fruit later turning black, pebbly skin, early producer. Fruit size 10-12 oz. Ripens April-September. Long season.
HOLIDAY	Guatemalan variety (A type) Beautiful, naturally small tree (10-12 ft) with weeping growth habit. Fruit is 19-24 oz, excellent tasting, August-December  (Labor Day- New Years). Fruit peels easily
LITTLECADO	Dwarf avocado. Suitable as a backyard tree or patio planter. Cold hardy and early producer. Green, medium-thin skin. Fruit size 10-12 oz. Ripens May-November.
MEXICOLA	Most frost resistant of all avocado varieties. Good garden avocado, small, dark purple fruit with thin, tender skin and outstanding nutty flavor. Hardiest. August-October.
PINKERTON	Heavy early producer near coast and inland. Large green fruit, medium pebbly skin. Medium spreading tree. Fruit size 14-16 oz. Ripens November-April.
REED	Excellent taste, medium-thick skin, large green fruit. Upright tree. Fruit size 16-18 oz. Ripens July-Oct.
ZUTANO	Good variety in relatively low temperatures. Green fruit, medium-thin skin. Upright tree. Fruit size 10-12 oz. Ripens November-January.

FERTILIZE lightly with NURSERYMAN’S CITRUS AND FRUIT TREE FOOD four times per year, March-May-July-September. Control chlorosis with iron chelate.

ALTHOUGH avocados are hardy to 20-24 degrees, flowers form in winter and temperatures much below freezing destroy the crop.

AVOCADOS tend to bear crops in cycles producing a heavy crop one year and a light crop the next.

WHEN using in landscape, remember that most varieties will grow 30 ft. and spread wider (tree size can be controlled by pruning.) Tree should have protection from winds. It drops leaves quite heavily all year. Wide-spreading branches with heavy foliage make dense shade beneath -- good garden area for potted plants that need shade. St. Augustine grass will grow beneath avocado trees.

IMPORTANT: When young (first 2-3 yrs) the bark and leaves are very sensitive to sun. It’s necessary to protect them. Use three 1’ x 6’ stakes with shade cloth between them.

For more information, refer to our “Prescription for Good Fruit Trees” information sheet.