Avocados, often referred to as "alligator pears" due to their shape and the rough, green texture of their skin, are a unique fruit primarily grown in tropical and Mediterranean climates. Unlike most fruits that are high in carbohydrates, avocados are rich in healthy fats, particularly monounsaturated fat, which is known to have numerous health benefits. These include improving heart health, reducing inflammation, and contributing to healthy skin and hair. Beyond its delicious taste, avocados are highly prized for their nutritional value, packed with a variety of essential vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin K, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and B-vitamins, as well as fibre and potassium. Culturally, avocados have a long history of cultivation, dating back to as early as 500 BC in Mesoamerica, where they were a staple food for the ancient civilizations. Today, they have gained global popularity, not just for their taste and health benefits, but also as a symbol of modern healthy eating trends. Despite their widespread popularity, avocados have sparked discussions about sustainability due to their water-intensive cultivation, especially in regions where water resources are scarce. Nonetheless, their continued demand underscores their integral role in contemporary diets, merging the lines between delicious indulgence and nutritional powerhouse.

How To Grow

Growing avocados can be a rewarding endeavour, though it requires patience and attention to detail, as the process from seed to fruit-bearing tree can take several years. Here's a comprehensive guide to growing avocados: Starting from Seed Extract the Seed: Carefully remove the seed from a ripe avocado without cutting it, and rinse off any residue. Preparation for Sprouting: Insert three to four toothpicks into the seed at its widest part, then suspend its broad end down over a glass of water, ensuring the bottom third of the seed is submerged. Germination: Place the setup in a warm, sunny spot. Roots and a sprout should appear in two to six weeks. Change the water regularly to prevent mould and bacteria growth. Planting: Once the sprout reaches about six inches, trim it back to three inches to encourage growth. When it grows back, plant the seed in a large pot with rich, well-draining soil, leaving the top half of the seed exposed. Planting a Sapling (Alternative to Starting from Seed) If starting from a seed seems too slow, you can purchase a young avocado tree from a nursery. Choose a variety suited to your climate and whether it will be planted in the ground or kept in a pot. Care and Maintenance Sunlight: Avocado trees thrive in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Watering: Water the tree deeply and thoroughly, allowing the soil to dry out somewhat between waterings. Avocado trees prefer well-draining soil to prevent root rot. Soil: Use a rich, loamy soil that drains well. A pH of 6 to 6.5 is ideal for avocado trees. Fertilising: Feed your avocado tree with a balanced fertiliser several times a year. Young trees need nutrients to support their rapid growth. Pruning: Light pruning can be done to shape the tree and remove dead or diseased branches. However, excessive pruning can reduce fruit production. Pollination Avocado trees are classified into two groups, A and B, based on their flowering patterns. For optimal fruit production, especially in a home garden, it's beneficial to have one of each group to ensure cross-pollination, although some varieties can produce fruit on their own. Patience is Key Remember, avocado trees grown from seed can take anywhere from 5 to 13 years to bear fruit, and there's no guarantee the fruit will be identical to the parent avocado. Trees purchased from nurseries can bear fruit much sooner, often within a few years. Climate Considerations Avocado trees are sensitive to cold and must be planted in a location that protects them from frost. In colder climates, growing an avocado tree in a large pot indoors or in a greenhouse may be the best approach. Growing avocados is a long-term commitment that can be deeply satisfying when you finally harvest your own home-grown fruit. With proper care and a bit of luck, you'll enjoy the fruits of your labour for years to come.

How/When To Harvesting

Harvesting avocados requires a bit of knowledge and timing to ensure the fruits have reached their optimum maturity for picking. Unlike many fruits, avocados do not ripen on the tree and must be harvested first. Here are steps and tips on how to harvest avocados:

1. Know When to Harvest Seasonal Timing: Avocado trees typically bear fruit at certain times of the year, which can vary depending on the variety and your climate zone. Generally, avocados may be ready for harvest from late winter through early summer, but some varieties mature at different times. Maturity Signs: Look for changes in skin colour and texture as indicators of maturity. For some varieties, the fruit darkens as it matures. However, not all avocados change colour, so it's also important to know the typical mature size for your variety. Trial and Error: If you're unsure whether the avocados are ready, pick one and let it ripen indoors for a few days to a week. If it softens without shrivelling and has a buttery texture and a rich flavour when eaten, the rest of the crop is likely ready for harvest.

2. Harvesting Technique Hand Picking: If you can reach the fruits, gently twist them off the tree. A ripe avocado will come off easily. Using a Pole Picker: For avocados that are out of reach, use a long-handled fruit-picking pole with a basket and a cutting tool attached. Gently pull the fruit into the basket with the pole's cutter to snip it free. Be careful not to damage the tree or the fruit.

3. Post-Harvest Handling Ripening: After harvesting, store avocados at room temperature to ripen, which can take a few days to a week. To speed up the ripening process, place them in a paper bag with an apple or banana, as these fruits release ethylene gas that promotes ripening. Storing: Once ripe, avocados can be stored in the refrigerator to slow down further ripening. They should be used within a week for best quality.

4. Considerations for Commercial Growers Quality Control: Commercial growers often perform dry matter tests or specific gravity tests to ensure the avocados have reached the optimal oil content and are ready for harvest. Regulated Picking: In commercial settings, the harvest may be staggered to provide a continuous supply to the market, picking only the mature fruits while allowing others more time to develop.

5. Avoiding Waste Staggered Harvest: If you have a lot of fruit, consider harvesting in stages, picking only what you can use or give away within a short period to avoid waste. Harvesting avocados at the right time and with the proper technique ensures the best quality fruit for eating. Since avocados continue to ripen after being picked, careful monitoring during the ripening process is key to enjoying them at their peak flavour and texture.