Pancho Avocado

1. Planting:  Find a spot where your avocado can receive full sunlight (between 6 to 8 hours daily), and dig a hole for the root system. Place the tree in the hole, fill it with soil, and tamp it down lightly. Water thoroughly. For clay soil, plant on a slight mound with well-draining soil. Provide a support stake for the first year or two and mulch well. Find a sunny, frost-free, and wind-free location with southern exposure to plant in the ground. 

For containers, transfer your new tree to a container 1-2 inches larger than the pot it arrives in. Fill with well-draining soil to 3” below the rim. Loosen the root system and place the plant so the root ball is even with the soil surface. Water lightly until well rooted. In the second summer, plant in a larger container. Use a wide-diameter container, and refresh the soil every 1-3 years. Place near a sunny window or under fluorescent grow lights. Mist foliage regularly or use a humidifier if humidity is less than 40%.

2. Watering:  Good drainage is crucial for avocado trees. Young trees need watering 2-3 times per week in their first year. Mature trees need 2 inches of water per week in summer. 

When grown in a container, deep watering is preferred over frequent, light watering. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. 

Overwatering causes curling leaves and soft stems while underwatering causes wilted, dry foliage.

3. Pruning: Some light pruning can be beneficial for shaping, removing dead or damaged branches, and maintaining a manageable size.

4. Fertilizing: Fertilize your avocado tree with aged compost or worm castings when planting. Once established, use a well-balanced citrus fertilizer twice a year. Do not add fertilizer while backfilling. Instead, apply compost or worm castings to the soil surface after planting.

5. Pollination: Pollinators are not required; however, other avocado plants can boost the size of your crops. Plant one of these pollinators within 100’ for best results.