What if you could establish your own avocado farm? This path needs time, effort, and dedication on your part. Additionally, you must take into account a variety of aspects, including soil preparation and the weather.
Probably, you already know that avocado trees, or Persea spp., come from Mexico, where they were first grown. Guacamole is one of the most popular Mexican dishes since it is made using avocados.
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Outdoors or inside, you have the option to grow avocado trees. Sowing seeds in pots is all you need to do if you plan to grow them in a hobby greenhouse or at home. Avocado trees can reach heights of up to 40 feet when cultivated outdoors. You have the ability to
Because these trees prefer warm and sunny climates, they grow in these areas. If you live in a location that experiences high summer and winter temperatures, don’t expect them to thrive.
Avocado: The Superfood
In fact, avocado consumption has been continuously rising over the world. For more than just its buttery flavor and richness to the taste buds, its fruit is packed with critical elements that are beneficial to your health.
All of these nutrients can be found in a single serving of avocado fruit; they include potassium, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, and Vitamin B6. It’s also a good source of protein, fiber, and essential lipids. Avocados are an excellent addition to a low-carb plant food diet.
What are the Growing Requirements of an Avocado Tree?
Due to the fact that avocado trees can only thrive in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 to 11, they can only be grown there. Academia trees can be grown in these zones, but it’s crucial to keep in mind that they don’t always do well when it gets particularly hot in the summer or cold in the winter. According to this, the optimal climate for an avocado tree is year-round temperatures that are not too hot or too cold.
What are the 3 Primary Groups of Avocado Trees?
The Guatemalan, West Indian, and Mexican varieties of avocado trees are all you need to know if you want to create your own avocado farm. Depending on the type of plant, the appropriate growth range is different.
Guatemalan Avocados
The rough, warty peel of a Guatemalan avocado is well-known.
West Indian Avocados
This variety of avocado thrives in areas with a lot of sunshine. Unlike the Guatemalan avocado, a West Indian avocado has thin and shiny skin and could weigh up to 5 pounds.
Mexican Avocados
Tropical highlands are ideal for the Mexican avocado, which thrives there. The Mexican avocado is more resistant of cold weather than other avocado varieties. It can also withstand temperatures as low as 26 degrees Fahrenheit.
Additionally, this species of avocado produces smaller fruits that weigh less than a pound and have an unique papery-smoothness to their skin.
Expert Tips on How to Start an Avocado Farm
Avoid avocado farming unless you’re ready to commit to a long-term project, spend a significant amount of money on planting, and wait three to five years before you see any return on your investment. You can, however, reap the benefits of high yields for many years by following this method, assuming you’re ready to put in the effort.
Tip #1: Plant them in areas where the temperatures are consistently cool
Avoid fruit drop by planting your avocado trees in cold temperatures of 68 °F to 75 °F every day. However, the noon humidity should not go below 50% when the plants are in bloom or beginning to develop fruit.
Tip #2: They don’t like wind
Avocado trees, in case you didn’t know, have brittle branches that break off easily. There’s a good chance that wind will destroy their fruit, so it’s better to avoid planting them in regions that are frequently affected by wind.
Tip #3: Most of them need proper irrigation
To grow rain-fed avocados, you need at least 1,000 mm of rain per year spread out over the course of the year. Avocado trees require a dry season of around two months before flowering. About 25 mm of water is required by avocado trees per week.
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It’s critical to check the pH and bicarbonates of irrigation water because high pH and bicarbonate levels allow free lime to accumulate in the soil. Your avocado plants can suffer if they are exposed to high amounts of salt and chloride.
Because the roots of this plant are so shallow, a drip or micro-sprinkler is the most effective method of watering it. So that the avocado tree’s root system receives the nutrients equally, this technique is used.
Additionally, the root zone must be kept moist because it is prone to drying out.
Tip #4: Determine the soil’s suitability and prepare it accordingly
An avocado seed cannot be planted in soil that has not been properly prepared. You must excavate soil profile pits throughout your farm in order to prepare the soil for planting. The pits must be 1.5 m deep.
Only one putt per acre is needed. In a non-homogeneous area or one with hills, you will need to excavate more pits. Color, texture, structure, patches, sitting water, concretions, hardpans, stones, and gravel are all things to look out for in the soil.
Grow Your Avocado Trees in a Hobby Greenhouse!
You’ll find it easier to grow avocados in a greenhouse because they demand precise temperatures and humidity levels. The enclosed area allows you to tailor the environment to your plants’ specific needs. As a bonus, it shields them from the continual threat of pests and high winds.
It’s fantastic to learn how to grow avocados outside, but it’s even better to grow them in your own greenhouse.
Avocado Farming Guide
Farming avocados has never been easier! As a result of the health advantages of the avocado fruit, avocado farming is becoming more popular in Kenya and around the world. However, how does one go about cultivating this delectable crop? The best ways to grow avocados in Kenya are discussed in this section.
Because of its rich nutritious content and protective skin, the avocado is quickly becoming a popular superfood. There has been an increase in international market prices as a result of an increase in annual global demand. Despite the price hikes, there is still an increase in demand. Between 2009 and 2016, avocado consumption in the United States climbed by a whopping seven times! Acai berries are grown in Kenya, which is the sixth-largest producer in the world. Avocados are also a popular choice for home consumption in the United States.
Acai farming checks off a lot of boxes in our 2030 Vision and Uhuru’s Big 4, so it should come as no surprise. Securing our food supply and increasing agricultural productivity are critical. Avocado cultivation is a hot topic for debate and action at the county level. Our reputation for high-quality, sustainable production in the global market is of the utmost importance.
In Central and South America, avocados are the fatty fruit of the Persea Americana tree. Suitable for children, they have a smooth creamy texture and a nice taste. You can get all the nutrients you need from an avocado thanks to its high fiber content and heart-healthy mono-saturated fat content. Sugar, salt, and cholesterol are all low in these products… Potassium content is 1.6 times higher than in bananas, and the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, K, and E are better absorbed when eaten with avocados.
Avocado Farming – where to start
It will take 3 to 5 years for the trees to bear fruit after they are planted, so this avocado farming guide is a long-term endeavor. To ensure long-term success, it is vital to do a thorough risk assessment before beginning and maintaining a healthy plantation.
Climate and Avocado Variety
Avocado varieties and climate are intertwined, as are many other factors. First and foremost, Variety is a product of the market ( e.g. Domestic markets usually prefer the Fuerte avocado variety, while Export markets prefer the Hass avocado variety). The humid tropical lowlands of Central America gave rise to the West Indian cultivars, which thrive in higher temperatures and humidity but are unable to endure frost. Among the avocado varieties covered in this guide, the Mexican varieties are more tolerant of cold and can grow at lower temperatures and humidity. Flowers and fruit drop with temperatures above 38 degrees Celsius (>65 percent humidity) in Guatemalan varieties, which are native to the tropical highlands. Natural hybrid of cultivars, Fuerte cultivar has a larger range of climatic tolerance.
Generally speaking, cooler temperatures (a mean daily temperature of 20-24C) are preferable over hot, dry conditions since they induce fruit to drop. Frozen areas are not included. Flowering and fruit set necessitate that the noon humidity reach 50%. When it’s windy, avocados are afraid. The branches of these trees are brittle and quickly break off. Fruit is harmed by wind.
Avocado Irrigation Requirements
It is necessary for avocado trees to get more than 1000 millimeters of rain annually, with a two-month dry period prior to flowering. Most avocados, according to our Avocado Farming Guide, will require irrigation. About 25 mm of water each week is needed for plants, Drought-affected avocado trees die quickly, so farmers need to make sure they have access to enough water all year round. It’s a good idea to have your irrigation water tested. A free lime buildup in the soil is caused by a combination of high pH and bicarbonates. When there is an abundance of salts, such as sodium and chloride, it has a detrimental effect on the plants.
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Using a drip or micro sprinkler, water is drenched into the ground. In order to ensure that water is evenly distributed throughout the root region, it is necessary for the primary roots to be very shallow. In the root zone, correct moisture regulation must be maintained to avoid drying out or becoming salty. The health of the tree’s roots, production, and longevity are all influenced by the quality of the soil’s moisture.
Avocado Farming Guide: Avocado Soil
Most of the feeder roots of a healthy avocado tree are located in the top 20 cm of the soil in the drip zone. The roots of the tree are very weak. Root rot (Phytophthora) can spread quickly if roots are injured or damp. Using this Avocado Farming Guide, you can find out if the soil you plan to use for avocado production is suitable and what soil amendments you need to apply.
Here’s how to get your yard ready for an avocado tree planting: A minimum of one pit per hectare and a depth of at least 1.5 meters should be required for all farm soil profile pits (more in hilly or non-homogenous areas). Color, texture, hard pans, sitting water, structure, spots, concretions, gravel, and stones should all be examined. The chemical and textural qualities of soil samples must be examined. Top and subsurface should be sampled in order to provide a complete picture of a soil’s composition (20cm- 1m). Mounding the soils up can help improve drainage and enhance the depth of the soil.
It’s best to avoid yellow/gray/light brown soils because they are more prone to waterlogging, whether it’s temporary or permanent. Soil with a high amount of organic matter, such as clay or black soil, might lead to acidic conditions and aluminum poisoning if the avocado tree is planted.
A laboratory study of the clay content is warranted (soil texture analysis). Avocados thrive on clay-rich soils with 20% to 40% clay content. Low clay content (20 percent) soils require more frequent irrigation, and roots may be affected by short-term dryness in these soils. Due to their high water retention, heavy clay soils are less permeable to water. Root rot can occur when the soils are overwatered as a result of high rainfall or irrigation.
The roots are incredibly delicate and grow close to the surface. Production and root health are strongly influenced by soil structure. Incompatible soils include those that break apart into hard clods when dry, soils that have huge fractures, and soils that have block formations. When the earth dries up, it should only exhibit little, fine fissures.
The ideal soil pH for avocados is between 6.2 and 6.5. Prior to planting, it is critical to do a thorough soil investigation. Lime is used to raise the pH of acidic soil to 6.5.
Nutrients in the avocado soil. In the absence of magnesium, dolomitic lime is used in place of calcitic lime. If the soil lacks phosphorus, it should be supplemented with lime and properly mixed before planting. Adding sulphur to the soil and keeping it moist for six to twelve months might lower the pH if the soil is too alkaline.
Avocados require a lot of calcium in order to grow. Root rot can only be prevented by raising the soil’s pH over a certain threshold. The fruit’s nutrient content and long-term storage depend on the plant’s level.
Preparation of the avocado soil. Cracking hard pans in the soil can be done by deep ripping the soil in a cross pattern. Lime, calcium, phosphorus, and organic matter should all be thoroughly incorporated into the soil before planting. As much of the soil as possible should be broken up by hand. The depth and drainage of shallow soils can be improved by installing 3-meter-wide, 0.5-meter-high ridges. Equipment access should be planned within the inter-row spacing. The density of trees varies with the environment and the kinds of trees.
Avocado Farming Guide: Planting Avocados
Certified clean, well-hardened, grafted plants should be used. In our Avocado Farming Guide, we go into greater detail on the significance of planting the trees as soon as possible to avoid root-bound trees or nutrient deficits. Because containers are heated and the roots burn readily, keep plants shaded while not in use.
Avocado tree transplanting. A small planting hole should be dug, the plants placed in the hole, and the earth gently squeezed around the roots if sufficient soil preparation has been performed. A modest mound around the base of the tree will help prevent water from pooling around the stem. A well-prepared orchard should not necessitate the use of fertilizer in the planting hole because young trees are particularly vulnerable to salt damage. Prop up the trees with solid stakes and paint the stems white to protect them from the sun’s harmful rays.
How Often To Water New Avocado Tree
Schedule for Watering Avocados. Proper irrigation is a key component of a healthy plant stand, as we demonstrate in our Avocado Farming Guide. Many young avocado trees are used to frequent watering because of their tiny root systems. Avocados have a high water stress threshold. Check the moisture level of the subsoil and administer intermittent larger irrigations to replenish the subsoil with frequent light irrigations. Over-irrigation can be just as damaging as under-irrigation, so be aware of this.
A thick organic mulch is advised for young plants in order to limit evaporation from the soil and prevent root temperatures that are too high or too low. As the trees develop, they will produce a thick layer of mulch of their own accord. Mulch is a common place for feeder roots to take root. Weeds are less likely to compete with mulch.
Avocado Farming Guide: Avocado Fertilizer
Pre-plant soil and irrigation water analyses are required at least six months before planting. After that, a yearly soil study is necessary to monitor the soil’s nutrient levels. A leaf analysis and an irrigation water analysis should be performed in conjunction with this.
A fertilization timetable, program, or advice for avocados. Soil nutrient status, water quality, plant size, plant density, and yield expectations all influence the amount and type of avocado fertilizer needed. To obtain reliable data on soil and plant health, soil and leaf samples should be collected from 20 healthy, representative, evenly dispersed trees. At least five years of soil and leaf samples should be gathered and the history recorded in order to get a good avocado tree fertilizer ratio or program up and running. Because correcting nutrient imbalances is a long process, it is not always possible to do so in a single season.
Fertilizer for avocado seedlings. Fertilizing avocado plants that have just been transplanted is a bad idea. To begin with, trees must be established and developing at a healthy rate (6-12 months). Never fertilize trees near their stems. Irrigation is required after every fertilizer application. Avoid damaging the shallow roots by working the fertilizers in. As a last point in our Avocado Farming Guide, fertigation is preferred for irrigated trees in order to avoid spikes in soil electrical conductivity (EC).
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