Planting Avocado Seeds

When summer comes, it's hard to resist the urge of delicious avocados at the local market or grocery store. After you've enjoyed the tasty treat, why not try growing your own avocado tree from the leftover pit, or seed? Planting avocado seeds is a great activity for children and adults alike. There are two different sprouting methods for the avocado seed, as well as numerous tips for cultivating avocados in your home garden.

There's no better way to recycle than sprouting the seed of the fruit you just enjoyed in order to have your own harvest in the future. Sprouting the seed can be done one of two ways, in water or in soil. Many prefer the water method because it allows you to watch the roots actually form. Planting avocado seeds requires that you stabilize the seed so only part of the seed is immersed in water. In order to do this, hold the seed so the wider part is facing down. Next, poke three toothpicks in the seed approximately half-way up its body. Then, fill a suitable sized container full of water so, when rested on the rim, only the bottom half of the seed will be immersed. Once roots form, transplant your avocado seed into a pot or into the ground. If you choose to germinate the seed in soil, you won't get to witness the roots growing. However, soil contains more oxygen and nutrients. In order to avoid oxygen depletion in the water method, change the seed's water often.

Once you have sprouted your avocado seed, proper cultivation is necessary. Avocado trees require plenty of light, both indoors and outdoors. If planted inside, your avocado tree may only serve a decorative purpose because it is difficult for it to set fruit under such conditions. When planting avocado seeds outdoors, choose a permanent home or a large container that can be moved if need be. First, dig a hole that doubles the size of the root ball and place it deep enough so all roots are below the soil line. Then, fill in the remainder of the hole with soil. Cultivating an avocado tree to the point where it actually produces fruit is a long process spanning many years. In the meantime, however, avocado plants provide visual interest and a gardening goal. As a rule, avocados do not like wet areas and are susceptible to frost in the first three years. By paying careful attention to temperatures and taking proper precautions, your avocado plant should have no problem surviving.

There are many additional strategies for planting avocado seeds including companion planting and basic tips for growing organic vegetables. Another good strategy for any gardening endeavor is to seek the advice of others who share your passion. In order to do this, join the PicturesqueGarden community today.