A: Avocado, Persea americana, is grown commercially in south Florida and many homeowners enjoy having a few avocado trees in their landscape as well. It is possible to grow avocado here but your selection of a specific cultivar will be essential for your success. Be sure to plant the trees in a protected area away from cold north winds and salty sea breezes. The varieties that can tolerate the coldest temperatures are from Mexico such as ‘Brogdon’, ‘Ettinger’, ‘Gainesville’, ‘Mexicola’, and ‘Winter Mexican’ which are able to survive infrequent temperatures in the low 20s. ‘Tonnage’, ‘Taylor’, ‘Lula’, ‘Kampong’, ‘Meya’, and ‘Brookslate’ may be planted in areas with temperature ranges of 24°F-28°F. Moderately cold-tolerant types (25°F-30°F) include ‘Beta’, ‘Choquette’, ‘Loretta’, ‘Booth 8’, ‘Hall’, ‘Monroe’, and ‘Reed’. It might work best if you plant two different tree varieties to assist with pollination (see the publication listed below for specific directions). Trees should be planted in full sun in well drained soil, these plants do not like wet feet. Fertilize using 6-6-6-4 once every 1-2 months. Young trees should be irrigated twice a week if no rainfall occurs. It is important to irrigate on a consistent basis when trees are fruiting and certainly more water is needed on newly planted trees. Check out the UF/IFAS publication on avocadoes for the homeowner for additional information: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG213

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