Knowing when to pick avocados off the tree is the biggest challenge for home growers. It’s the key to getting that perfect, creamy texture instead of a disappointing, rubbery fruit. Unlike many fruits, avocados have a unique ripening process that happens off the tree. This means your timing and technique are everything.
This guide will walk you through the clear signs of maturity, the simple harvest method, and how to ripen your avocados to perfection. Let’s get you picking with confidence.
When To Pick Avocados Off Tree
You don’t pick avocados when they’re ripe. You pick them when they’re mature. This is the most important concept to understand. The fruit reaches maturity on the tree but will only soften and become edible after it’s picked.
The harvest window can span several months, depending on your variety and climate. Here’s how to tell if your avocados are ready to come off the branch.
Check the Variety and Typical Harvest Time
First, know your tree. Common varieties have different seasons:
- Hass: The most popular. Harvest is typically from late winter through early summer. The skin turns from green to a dark, purplish-black when mature.
- Fuerte: Often harvested in fall and winter. It remains green when mature, so you must rely on other cues.
- Reed: A summer avocado. It stays green but may feel slightly bumpy when ready.
- Bacon: A winter variety. The skin stays bright green.
Check with a local nursery for your specific variety’s timeline. This gives you a general idea of when to start looking.
The Stem-Test: Your Best Indicator
This is the most reliable method for determining maturity. Choose a large, well-formed fruit from the outer part of the canopy.
- Gently hold the avocado in one hand.
- With your other hand, try to snap the stem off where it meets the fruit. Don’t just pull the fruit down.
- If the stem snaps off easily and cleanly, revealing green underneath, the fruit is mature and ready to pick.
- If it doesn’t snap, or you see brown or dry wood underneath, it needs more time on the tree.
Observe Color and Size Changes
For varieties that change color, like Hass, the darkening skin is a great visual clue. The fruit should also feel heavy for its size and have reached its expected full dimension. A mature avocado often loses its glossy sheen and may develop small, pale yellow dots on the skin.
Understand the “Oil Content” Factor
Maturity is linked to oil content. As the fruit matures, its water content decreases and its natural oil content increases. This higher oil content is what creates that rich, nutty flavor and creamy texture after ripening. The stem test correlates closely with this internal change.
What Not to Do
Do not wait for the fruit to soften on the tree. If it does, it’s often overripe and may have developed off-flavors or fibrous strings. Also, avoid judging by time alone. Weather patterns from year to year can shift maturity by weeks.
How to Harvest Without Hurting Your Tree
Picking correctly protects next year’s crop. Avocados grow on stems, and the bud for next year’s fruit is right next to this year’s stem.
- Use a hand pruner or fruit picking pole for high branches. Don’t just yank the fruit.
- For low fruit, snap the stem off using the method described above.
- For high fruit, snip the stem about half an inch above the fruit. This preserves the bud for next season.
- Place the fruit gently into a basket or bucket. Dropping them can cause bruising that shows up days later.
Handle your avocados like eggs. They are delicate even when firm.
The Ripening Process: From Tree to Table
Once picked, the magic begins. Here’s how to manage the post-harvest process:
- Clean & Dry: Gently wash off any dust or residue and dry the fruit thoroughly.
- Choose a Spot: Place them in a cool, dark spot like a pantry or paper bag. To speed up ripening, put them in a paper bag with a banana or apple. These fruits release ethylene gas, a natural ripening agent.
- Check Daily: Depending on temperature, ripening takes 3 to 8 days. Check by gently pressing near the stem end. It should yield slightly to gentle pressure when ripe.
- Refrigerate to Pause: Once ripe, you can store avocados in the refrigerator for several days to halt the process. This is great for staggering your harvest.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Sometimes things don’t go as planned. Here’s what might happen:
- Fruit is rubbery and never softens: It was picked too immature. Use the stem test next time.
- Brown streaks or fibers inside: This can be from over-ripening on the tree, irregular watering, or sometimes the variety. Consistent deep watering during dry spells can help.
- Fruit drops prematurely: A few small fruit dropping is normal. Significant drop can be from stress, like drought, extreme heat, or root problems.
- Dark sunken spots on skin: This is often insect damage or physical injury from sunburn or tools. Protect the tree with good care and careful harvesting.
Storing Your Avocado Harvest
You’ve picked a big batch—now what? You can manage the flow.
Keep firm, newly picked avocados at cool room temperature to begin ripening. To slow things down, you can store mature but hard avocados in the vegetable drawer of your fridge for up to two weeks. Bring them out to room temp to start the ripening process when your ready.
For ripe avocados you can’t use immediately, refrigeration is essential. For cut avocados, leave the pit in the unused portion, squeeze a little lemon or lime juice on the exposed flesh, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface, and refrigerate.
FAQs: Your Quick Questions Answered
Can you pick avocados too late?
Yes. If left too long, they may become over-oily, develop off-flavors, or even rot on the tree. They also become targets for pests. It’s better to pick on the early side of mature and let them ripen indoors.
Why are my avocados not getting bigger?
This is usually due to inadequate water or nutrients during the fruit development phase. Avocados need consistent, deep watering, especially during flowering and fruit set. A lack of pollination can also result in small fruit.
How long can avocados stay on the tree once mature?
This is a great advantage of the avocado tree! For many varieties, mature fruit can “hang” on the tree for several weeks without over-ripening. This acts as a natural storage system, allowing you to pick as you need over a period of time.
Do avocados ripen faster in a plastic or paper bag?
A paper bag is superior. It traps the ethylene gas while allowing the fruit to breath, preventing moisture buildup that can encourage mold. A plastic bag can cause the fruit to sweat and spoil quicker.
What if I pick an avocado and it’s hard for weeks?
It was likely picked to early. Unfortunately, if it doesn’t begin to soften within 10-14 days at room temperature, it probably won’t ever ripen properly. Use it as a decoration or compost it, and focus on the stem test for your next pick.
Mastering the art of picking avocados takes a little observation and patience. By focusing on maturity signs like the stem test and variety-specific cues, you’ll consistently harvest fruit that ripens into that perfect, buttery goodness. Your tree and your taste buds will thank you.