Avocado

With right conditions, it is possible to grow your own avocados at home. Avocado trees are extremely attractive, and evergreen. A mature tree can produce upto 140kg of fruit in one season if the tree requirements are being met.

CHOOSING A PLANT:

Avocados are generally sold in tall planter bags, as these improve drainage and allow unrestricted root growth. You must buy a grafted tree as seed grown avocados are unreliable and probably won't fruit. Make sure the tree is healthy and the graft is healed. The tree should be secure with sturdy roots.

POSITION:

Avocados require all day sun, protection from the wind and frost when young. Avocados develop into large trees, so it is important that they are planted with plenty of space in mind.

SOIL:

The soil need to be extremely well drained for avocados to grow well. If the soil is too wet, they will not survive, the leaves turn yellow, then brown, and then fall off. Boggy soils may also increase the risk of phytopthera root disease.

PLANTING:

Purchase your avocado between September and March as this is the best time to plant. Planting in early spring is optimal. Break up soil to 30-60cm deep (deeper if soil is heavy), then mix in Kings Organic Compost, Gypsum and Kings 24 Plus fertiliser. Continue to add compost until you have created a mound about 20cm above the existing soil level. Remove from the planter bag, and plant your avocado at the top of the mound.

FEEDING AND WATERING:

Both feeding and watering are extremely important, particularly in the first few years. Deep water your tree thoroughly and liquid feed regularly for the first two summers. After the third year apply about 750g-1kg of Kings Citrus food in summer. Don't feed in spring as this can interfere with fruit and flower production.

Avoados are rich in monosaturated oils and vitamin A+B, but low in sugar and cholesterol. They are great in salads, eaten raw or used in cooking.

PRUNING:

Should only be to shape the tree. Avocados fruit on last year's wood, so any pruning reduces the crop.

Massive amounts of flowers are produced, however not all will set fruit. First fruit should occur 3-4 years after planting, some trees drop a portion of their crop before maturity, if they can not hold all of the fruit.

PLANT PESTS:

Avocados are susceptible to the common insect pests in the garden: scale, mealy bug, bronze beetle, leaf roller caterpillar. Spraying with Yates Confidor or Target will control these pests.

FAVOURITE VARIETIES:

Hass: Easily the most common variety, medium sized "pebbled" fruits are nutty flavoured. Matures Nov-Mar. Leave to darken and soften before eating.

Reed: a smaller growing tree well suited to the home gardener. Large round smooth fruits are buttery and very tasty "highly recommended" ripens Feb-Apr. Eat when green and soft.