Care for an Avocado Tree

Overview

Avocado trees are easy to care for, their biggest demand being frequent watering. When you're selecting a planting site for your avocado tree, you'll need to consider the tree's age. Young avocado trees need a protected, shaded location for the first two to three years. After that, the trees need plenty of sunlight exposure in order to bear fruit. You can grow your avocado tree in a container for the first few years and place the tree beneath a larger tree or on the north side of your house, and then transplant the tree into a sunny location in your yard. You can also erect a removable shade structure over the young tree for the first three years.

Step 1

Water your avocado tree two or three times per week during the spring through the fall. Allow the top 1 or 2 inches of soil around the tree to dry out between waterings. Avoid watering the avocado tree in winter to prevent root rot.

Step 2

Feed your avocado tree annually in the spring after it's about 2 years old, using a well-balanced fertilizer made for citrus trees or a combination top-dressing of organic compost and used coffee grounds. If you're using the commercial fertilizer, follow the dosage directions on the package.

Step 3

Provide additional protection against hot sunlight by painting the young avocado tree's trunk with tree paint or a diluted water-based paint. Cover the entire trunk, from the ground to the lowest branches.

Step 4

Protect your young avocado trees from near-freezing temperatures and frost, especially during the first year after planting. Cover your avocado tree with a blanket or bed sheet when frost threatens.