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Avocado Trees
Today most avocado trees are the Haas variety, which are coveted for their smooth, creamy texture and nutty flavor. “This tree offers healthy treats at your fingertips,” says Spoonemore. “Depending on the zone, it can provide a long harvest season, from spring through fall.”
Avocado trees are heat and humidity tolerant, and do better in tropical environments.
- Needs sunny locations with rich, loose, evenly moist, well-draining soil.
- Zones: 9 to 11
- Size: 25 to 35 feet tall
- Fruits in eight to 15 years, but once established can produce high yields for decades
- Level of care: moderate, water and prune regularly, fertilize just before flower bud break for good fruit production
- Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, pest-resistant
FAQ
Is my yard good for growing fruit?
It depends on the type of fruit tree you want to plant. Choose one that is suited to your growing zone, yard size, available sunlight, soil type and drainage (most fruit trees need good drainage and a neutral pH). Also, consider whether you can keep up with its pruning needs and the time and financial costs associated with maintaining a healthy tree.
“Even if you want to plant something a bit less than ideal for site conditions, you can,” says Glassey. “You just need to remember that the care may be more and it may cost you more over the plant’s life.”
Is it safe to grow fruit in your backyard?
Yes, if you follow proper gardening practices. “Use organic and natural pest and disease management, and avoid using harmful chemicals near your fruit plants,” says Spoonemoore.
Also, always thoroughly wash and inspect fruit before eating it and lean toward pest-resistant species. “By planting some companion flowers nearby, you can encourage more beneficial insects to keep some nuisance pests at bay,” says Glassey.
About the Experts
- Mary Phillips is Head of Native Plant Habitat Strategy and Certifications at the National Wildlife Federation. As an ambassador for nature, she keeps habitat gardening programs flourishing with sustainable practices and ever-evolving scientific knowledge.
- Kathy Glassey is an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist and plant care expert at Inspire Green. She previously worked at numerous landscaping companies, including Monster Tree Service.
- Carrie Spoonemore is co-creator of Park Seed‘s From Seed to Spoon app, which helps people successfully choose and grow plants suited to their area, find recipes and more. She lives in Oklahoma, where she grows food with her husband and kids, and makes YouTube videos demonstrating gardening techniques from their five-acre homestead.
- Dr. Daniel A. Herms is Vice President of Research and Development at The Davey Tree Expert Company. He has worked and taught in horticulture for more than four decades, and is especially known for his research on plant defense.
