Light. Plant in full sun, 23–30 ft from buildings and other trees.
Water. Water every other day the first week, then once or twice a week for a couple of months. For 3 years, water twice weekly in dry spells over 5 days.
Soil and feeding. Avocados need well-drained soil and do not tolerate flooding; on low sites, plant on a 2–3 ft mound. Feed 3–4 times a year with Citrus and Avocado Fertilizer.
Size. Grows to about 30 ft. Once bearing, it can be cut back to 10–15 ft.
Pruning. Prune after harvest, removing a few upper limbs each year. Keep the lower branches.
Problems to watch. Root rot strikes in wet or flooded soil, causing pale, wilted leaves and dieback. Keep mulch 8–12 in from the trunk.
Good to know. Keep a grass-free circle 2–5 ft around the trunk. Keep weed-and-feed and timed lawn sprinklers away from the tree.
Sources: UF/IFAS EDIS CIR1034/MG213: Avocado Growing in the Florida Home Landscape
