Knowing when to pick avocados in Florida is the key to enjoying your homegrown fruit. This guide will help you understand Florida’s prime harvest season and the simple signs of perfect ripeness.
Florida’s unique climate means our avocado season differs from California’s. While you might see Haas avocados year-round in stores, Florida varieties have their own special timing. Picking at the right moment ensures the best flavor and texture for your table.
When To Pick Avocados In Florida5 – Floridas Prime Harvest Season
For most Florida avocado varieties, the main harvest window runs from June through March. That’s a long season. The peak, or prime harvest season, is typically late summer through fall. Your specific timing depends heavily on your avocado tree type.
Popular Florida varieties like ‘Donnie,’ ‘Simmonds,’ and ‘Pollock’ are often ready in summer. ‘Choquette’ and ‘Booth’ types usually come in during fall and winter. ‘Monroe’ and ‘Hall’ can hold fruit into early spring. This extended season is a great benefit for Florida growers.
How to Tell When Your Florida Avocado is Ready to Pick
Avocados are unique; they don’t ripen on the tree. They mature on the branch, then ripen after picking. Your job is to harvest them at full maturity. Here are the main signs to look for:
- Color Change: Watch the skin. Many green-skinned Florida varieties shift to a slightly lighter, more yellowish-green. Some might develop small, pale speckles.
- Size: The fruit should reach the full, expected size for its variety. Compare it to a known sample or a reliable description.
- Stem Test: This is very helpful. Try to flick off the small stem (pedicel) where the fruit attaches. If it’s dry and falls off easily, revealing green underneath, it’s likely mature. If it’s stubborn and the underside is brown, give it more time.
- Seed Coat Test: For a more advanced check, pick one “test” fruit. Let it ripen at room temperature for a week. When you cut it open, the seed coat should be dry, papery, and peel off easily. A wet, slippery seed coat means the fruit was picked too early.
The Step-by-Step Harvesting Process
- Gather Tools: Use a hand pruner or a picking pole with a basket and cutter. Don’t just pull or twist the fruit, as this can damage the branch and the fruit’s stem end.
- Make the Cut: Snip the stem about half an inch to an inch above the top of the avocado. Leaving a bit of stem helps prevent a stem-end rot from starting during ripening.
- Handle with Care: Place the avocados gently into a basket or bucket. Bruising them now will lead to ugly brown spots later.
- Clean and Sort: Wipe off any debris. Sort them, setting aside any with major blemishes or pest damage to use first.
Post-Harvest Ripening and Storage Tips
Once picked, the real magic happens. To ripen, place your avocados at room temperature, out of direct sun. Putting them in a paper bag with a banana or apple speeds things up due to the natural ethylene gas. This usually takes 3 to 8 days.
You’ll know they’re ripe when they yield to gentle pressure near the stem end. A ripe Florida avocado will feel slightly soft, not mushy. For long-term storage, you can refrigerate mature, unripe avocados for several weeks to extend your supply. Once ripe, eat them within a few days or scoop and freeze the flesh.
Common Florida Avocado Challenges and Solutions
Growing avocados here isn’t without its hiccups. Here’s how to handle common issues around harvest.
- Anthracnose Fungus: This causes black spots on the skin and flesh. It’s worse in rainy, humid weather. The best defense is to harvest at the earliest stage of maturity and not let fruit over-mature on the tree during wet periods.
- Fruit Drop: Trees naturally shed some immature fruit in spring. A heavy drop later can signal stress from drought, nutrient issues, or root problems. Consistent watering and good nutrition are key.
- Animal Pests: Squirrels and rats love avocados. They often take a single bite and leave the rest. Harvest fruit as soon as it’s mature to limit losses. Protective netting can also be a big help.
Choosing the Right Varieties for Your Florida Garden
Your harvest time is decided the day you plant the tree. Selecting varieties suited to your micro-climate is crucial. Cold-hardy types like ‘Joey,’ ‘Brogdon,’ or ‘Lila’ are better for North Florida. South Florida gardeners have more options, including the classic ‘Simmonds’ and ‘Choquette.’ Check with your local county extension office for the best recommendations for your exact area. They have invaluable local knowledge.
Year-Round Avocado Tree Care for a Great Harvest
Healthy trees produce the best fruit. Follow these care basics:
- Watering: Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry somewhat between waterings. Established trees are surprisingly drought-tolerant but need consistent moisture during flowering and fruit set.
- Fertilizing: Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer formulated for citrus and avocados. Apply 3-4 times per year, but stop by early fall to avoid encouraging new growth that could be damaged by cold.
- Pruning: Prune mainly to control size and remove dead wood after harvest. Avoid heavy pruning, as this can reduce next year’s crop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I pick avocados year-round in Florida?
A: While the overall season is long, individual trees have a primary harvest period of a few months. By planting different varieties, you can have fruit for much of the year.
Q: Why are my avocados staying hard forever?
A: They were likely picked too immature. Use the stem test next time. If you suspect immaturity, leave the rest on the tree longer. Sometimes a fruit just takes longer, up to two weeks, to soften.
Q: What’s the difference between a Florida and a California avocado?
A: Florida avocados are often larger, have smoother, brighter green skin, and lower fat content. This gives them a lighter, more watery texture compaired to the creamy Haas type. They are sometimes called “green-skin” or “low-fat” avocados.
Q: How do I protect my avocados from a sudden cold snap?
A: For young trees, cover them with frost cloth. For mature trees, ensuring the soil is moist (not soggy) before a freeze can help. Harvest any mature fruit before the freeze arrives, as cold can damage them on the tree.
Mastering the timing of when to pick avocados in Florida takes a little observation each season. Pay attention to your tree’s signals—the color, the size, and the easy stem. Remember that Florida’s prime harvest season is a generous window, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. With proper care and timely picking, your tree will provide delicious, homegrown avocados for many years to come.