Growing avocados in your home garden is a great way to get the fresh, organic fruit you love year-round. In warmer climates, these make great shade trees for the yard and in cooler climates, they can be grown in containers and overwintered as a large house plant or kept in a greenhouse.
In the guides below, find out how to grow and care for your avocado trees, which common pests and diseases to watch out for, when and how to harvest, how to prune, and other useful tips.
Store bought avocado seeds can be turned into a simple, fun project that you can do with children, at home or in the classroom. This educational activity extends learning opportunities through the summer. Demonstrate the plant life cycle and spark a love of gardening by growing a lovely tree to enjoy for years to come.
If you live in a colder climate but still want to grow avocados, you’ll need to choose a cold-hardy variety. Luckily, there are several cultivars available that can tolerate the cold, and still thrive. Discover the best cold tolerant avocado varieties that can withstand freezing temperatures and still produce fruit.
Thinking of suspending an avocado pit over water in hopes of producing some of the buttery green fruit? Learn whether this is a good idea, and other tips and tricks for growing “alligator pears” in your own backyard.