“All information provided has been personally derived by us here at From The Garden. This is how we have found the best results personally. Please note, that results may vary and we cannot be held responsible for plant death or illness.”

How to care for your Avocado Tree

An Avocado tree is a beautiful and evergreen addition to your home, providing you with glossy green foliage, colourful fruit that can be used in salads or smoothies and fragrant blooms that smell like vanilla.

Avocado Plant Care

Soil

Test soil PH. The PH should be 7 or less. If PH is too high add additional compost. The soil can also be tested for deficiency in minerals such as Fe, K, P, S, Zs and B.

You can however get a good idea of such deficiencies from the condition of leaves:

• Phosphor (P): Bronze young leaves.
• Potassium (K): Yellow green leaves with dark veins.
• Sulphur (S): Yellow new leaves
• Iron (Fe): Yellow green leaves with light green veins
• Zink (Zn): Rosette of small young leaves
• Boron (B): Green leaves with yellow margins and holes.

How to Plant your Avocado Tree

Avocado trees can be planted in a pot and placed on your patio, balcony or deck, so you don’t have to have a large garden to grow Avocados.

Avocados are shallow rooted trees, most roots are only 10 to 20 cm deep.

• Plant in well-drained soil during spring when it starts to warm up. We have also had good results from planting during winter. The tree generally restricts its growth in height and focuses on producing good roots.
• Plant trees at least 3 meters away from all structures such as walls, pools, lawns etc.
• Plant trees in angular (not round holes – more square in shape). The size of the holes depends on the quality of the soil. In good soil 0,75 x 0,75 x 0,5 meters. In poor soil (clay-rich, gritty) plant 1 x 1 x 0,5 meter holes.
• Mix 50% soil with 50% compost.
• Cut the plant bag and carefully remove plant from bag not waist any soil from roots!
• Compact the soil slightly and same level as before. Cover the surface with coarse mulch such as redwood, coco-beans or bark not closer than 20cm from tree stem.
• Make a dam/pond around the plant and water immediately at least 7 litres of water.
• Initially water plants every day and two to three times a week thereafter depending on the weather.

Nutrition for your Avocado Tree

Avocado trees do best when grown in well-drained soil that is high in organic matter. The ideal pH level for Avocado trees is 6.5, however Avocados can tolerate a wide range of soil pH’s, from 5.2 to 7.8 (6.0 – 6.5 being ideal).

Zinc is extremely important for avo trees. Avocados require a high level of zinc for optimum growth, and as they are very sensitive to iron deficiency it is especially important to amend the soil with micronutrients.

When planting your Avocado tree we recommend that you amend the soil with a decent amount of compost or manure to provide the tree with enough nutrients to start off with.

From the initial planting up to one year, spray or water with micro nutrients – use the official information on the product label for application directions.

Here are some extra tips for optimal growth of your avo tree:

• One year after planting fertilize with (1 table spoon) ammonium sulphate three times a year (Spring, Summer and Fall). No fertilizer in Winter. Best to use slow release stuff. Deep fluid irrigation after fertilizing. Use home fertilizer and micro nutrients as needed.
• Two year after planting fertilize with (0,1 km) ammonium sulphate three times a year (Spring, Summer and Fall). No fertilizer in Winter. Best to use slow release stuff. Deep fluid irrigation after fertilizing. Use home fertilizer and micro nutrients as needed.
• Three year after planting fertilize with (0,2 kg) ammonium sulphate three times a year (Spring, Summer and Fall). No fertilizer in Winter. Best to use slow release stuff. Deep fluid irrigation after fertilizing. Use home fertilizer and micro nutrients as needed.
• Use once a year a little Zinc and add minerals mentioned above as needed.

Weather Conditions

Avocados are sub-tropical plants and flourish in mild to hot (+22-27 degrees C) and high humidity. Not happy with cold spells particularly with cold winds. Try to plant the tree in cosy area. During cold spells cover with frost sheet but remove when heating up again.

Pick a spot in your garden or backyard to plant Avocado tree, ensuring it will be exposed to a fair amount of sunlight at all times. Avocado trees typically grow best in climates that fall between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius during the day and 15 degrees Celsius at night. Avocado trees do not like temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, so find a spot in your garden that does not fall below this temperature at night.

Diseases & Pests

Avocado trees are normally free from disease and pests. We have avocado trees that are more than 30 years old with no disease and no treatment. For more detail on avocado diseases contact your local nurseries or info on internet.

During flowering and formation of young leaves the plants are susceptible to green aphids. On small plants they should be sprayed with insecticide but on large plants should be left in order to not discourage bees and other pollinating insects.

Download our Avo Care Guide