Holiday avocado growing in south florida part i youtube. If you live in north florida you will have to pick coldtolerant varieties. The first table in the ufifas publication avocado growing in the florida home landscape can provide you with more. The order regulates the handling of avocados grown in south florida and is administered locally by the avocado administrative committee committee. Damage to trees from hurricane irma last year is to blame, along with a beetle that has caused significant issues to florida avocado growers. But scientists are racing to find solutions to this disease, and as a home gardener the risk may be worth the reward of growing your own guacamole ingredient in the backyard. Know your avocado varieties and when theyre in season.
The florida avocado has some great uses, but the hass avocado makes more sense for most culinary purposes. This avocado is an excellent choice for the avocado lover. In 1750, the avocado was introduced to indonesia, in 1833 florida, in 1908 israel. Florida avocado varieties agricultural marketing service. Typically, growers of the south florida greenskinned varieties begin. Buyers can expect florida avocado shipments to start nearly a month later than normal. Avocado varieties in florida mature from june to march table 2. The fungal pathogen, spread by tiny beetles, is responsible for killing more than,000 commercial avocado trees in south florida since 2012. Florida avocado season expected to start late packer. Store locator find california avocados near you select your state below to find california avocados near you please note. The avocado is a native tree of tropical america and is presently cultivated in all the subtropical and tropical regions of the world. Guatemalanwest indian hybrids and guatemalan types set fruit later in the season.
As you can see right here we have a russell avocado, it has a much smoother skin than the. New zealand produces avocados for export from august through march but has. South florida grows over 50 different varieties of avocados, we cannot guarantee your box will have the variety pictured, but we will send you the highest quality avocado that we have in season. The avocado persea americana, a tree likely originating from southcentral mexico, is classified as a member of the flowering plant family lauraceae.
Very popular with chefs, who enjoy the interesting shapes on a plate from the. The avocado persea americana has an ancient history as noted by archaeologists. This fruit grows in the caribbean islands and small pockets of south florida from the keys to miami. Most avocado tree species are at their peak between august and november, but depending on the variety, avocado growing seasons vary slightly. The florida avocado crop has suffered some problems and as a result, has endured a later season start than usual. We have so many varieties of avocado here in south florida that we almost have them all year round. To me avocados are one of those commodities that you have to learn to. Avocado season in south africa runs from june through october, and from march through january in australia. A branch on this avocado tree loaded with avocados was so heavy it broke this morning, but didnt fall. South florida and parts of central florida will have no problem growing any of the avocado varieties. Floridas avocado industry is focused on varieties like choquette, hall and lulu large.
It was named the florida avocado because of where it grows. Certain varieties of avocado only bloom and produce fruit during alternate years. The season runs july through april in chile and may through august in peru and argentina. Floridas avocado season is late, with smaller volume expected. Pollock is an excellent eating, early season fruit that is still grown commercially in south florida. Popular avocado varieties for florida are bermicker, brogdon, choquette, day, hall, lula, marcus pumpkin, mexicola, monroe, pollack, russell, simmonds.
Damage to trees from hurricane irma last year is to blame, along with a beetle. Avocado demand spiked 34 percent in 2012, with yet another 10 percent increase in demand for 20. One of the most popular varieties of florida avocado is the lula which honestly, even sounds a bit exotic dancerish, though more in a cool, retro burlesque show kind of way. Simmonds avocado is south florida most popular early season avocado. Learn about florida avocado my organic food club 877832. An awardwinning food writer and cookbook author, molly watson has. Good production, exceptional trade acceptance, and superb eating quality make it an excellent choice for the home garden or grove. South floridas biggest avocado grower, brooks tropicals, is trying to push outside of the greenskins niche market by branding some of its avocados as slimcados. An awardwinning food writer and cookbook author, molly watson has created recipes focused on local, seasonal ingredients. Florida seasonal fruit calendar fall season september october november akee avocado ambarella banana barbados cherry acerola bignay capulin jam fruit carambola. New zealand produces avocados for export from august through march but has them available domestically yearround.
The florida department of agriculture and consumer services has found three oriental fruit flies in south miamidade county. Facts about florida avocado you should know enkiverywell. Here in florida, west indian avocados were crossed with guatemalan types to create. Florida hass is a mexican type avocado, and was selected from california hass avocado seed planted on the west coast of florida. The simmonds is south floridas most popular early season avocado. This name was given in hopes of attracting dietdriven consumers, and is a reference to the fact that florida avocados have up to half the fat and fewer calories than traditional avocados, like the hass. Geographyhistory florida avocados are native to mexico, central america, and parts of south america. Well, i dont really know if other people call them big avocados, but thats pretty much what they are, dearies. Highfat flesh, a nutty taste, and almond butter texture make the hass both the classic west coast avocado and a favorite worldwide. Those in north florida and some parts of northern central florida will have to be a little more picky about which ones they can grow. The first avocados made their way into florida in 1822 and are now cultivated throughout the southern areas of the state. The peak avocado season has already passed, but they are still around, especially if you live in the south florida area.
When compared to hass, fruit quality is not good, lower oil content than hass, and even though bacon trees are sold at big box. Simmonds is south floridas most popular early season. Floridas avocado season is gearing up, and though the industry has faced its share of challenges, it expects 2019s volumes to be on par with a typical year, says brooks tropicals. Garden guides how to grow avocado trees in florida. Avocado flowers grow in terminal panicles or clusters composed of 200 to 300 small, yellowishgreen flowers. Avocado persea lauraceae is a tropical american native. West indian avocado trees now dominate the coastal lowlands of central and south america, and the caribbean. This large and softballshaped avocado may grow to two pounds and has buttery, creamy, soft flesh and a mild, nutty flavor. The trees also bloom off season during the year and these flowers occasionally also set fruit. One of the most widely recognized avocados, the haas is a dark green, bumpy skinned avocado with a rich buttery flavor. Planting more than one variety will prolong the avocado season from the home landscape. This avocado has a long neck giving it a total length up to in. This name was given in hopes of attracting dietdriven consumers, and is a reference to the fact that florida avocados have up to half the fat and fewer calories than traditional avocados, like the hass avocado. The fruit was introduced in the united states in 1833.