December 3, 2018

The dream of homeownership is still alive for California renters, C.A.R. survey finds

LOS ANGELES (Dec. 3) – Despite affordability challenges, California renters continue to hold homeownership in high regard and aspire to purchase a home eventually, according to a consumer survey released by the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^® (C.A.R.) today.

C.A.R.'s 2018 State of the California Consumer Survey, which examines the attitudes and behaviors of real estate consumers, found half of California renters rated homeownership as very important or extremely important, and that four out of five renters want to own a home someday.

Renters see the advantages of homeownership as more than just a roof over their heads. Twenty-one percent of...

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HOW TO GROW YOUR OWN AVOCADO TREE

Everything you need to know about how to grow an avocado tree. Really!

Everything you need to know about how to grow an avocado tree. Really! Want your own avocado tree or houseplant? There are a few ways to do it. This comprehensive guide tells you all you need to know, whether you're starting from a seed or planting a young tree.

• Planting
• Soil
• Watering
• Mulching/fertilizing
• Other growing tips

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Planting: Houseplant*

You can start with an avocado seed. Wash it. Use three toothpicks to suspend it broad end down over a water-filled glass to cover about an inch of the seed. Put the glass in a warm place out of direct sunlight and replenish water as needed. You should see the roots and stem start to sprout in about two to six weeks. (If you've followed this process so far and have not seen roots or a stem sprout in more than six to eight weeks, try another seed.) When the stem is 6 to 7 inches long, cut it back to about 3 inches. When the roots are thick and the stem has leaves again, plant it in a rich humus soil in a 10½-inch-diameter pot, leaving the seed half exposed. Water it frequently, with an occasional deep soak. The soil should be moist but not saturated. And don't forget: the more sunlight, the better. If the plant turns yellow, you may be over-watering; let it dry out for a few days. If the leaves turn brown and fry at the tips, too much salt has accumulated in the soil. Let water run freely into the pot, and drain it for several minutes. When the stem is 12 inches high, cut it back to 6 inches to encourage the growth of new shoots.

*Please note that the odds that your tree will bear fruit are very small.

Planting: Young tree

Remember that avocado trees do best at moderately warm temperatures (60 F to 85 F) with moderate humidity. They can tolerate temperatures, once established, of around 28 F to 32 F with minimal damage. Avoid freezing temperatures. Plant your tree in March through June. If you plant during the summer, there is always the risk of sun damage, because avocado trees don't absorb water very well when they're young. Plant it in a non-lawn area and away from sidewalks and, if you can, plant it in a spot protected from wind and frost. Remember, full sun is best. Dig a hole as deep as the current root ball and just as wide as the width plus a little extra so you can get your hands into the hole to plant it. The avocado is a shallow-rooted tree with most of its feeder roots in the top 6 inches of soil, so give it good aeration. Its root system is very sensitive, and great care should be taken not to disturb it when transplanting. If the tree is root-bound, however, loosen up the soil around the edges and clip the roots that are going in circles.

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Soil

Avocado trees like the soil's pH around 6 to 6.5. If you have a heavy clay soil, elevate the tree in a mound for better drainage. Make the mound 1 to 2 feet high and 3 to 5 feet around. Don't put gravel or anything else like planting media in the hole. The sooner the roots get into the bulk soil, the better the tree will do.

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Watering

Trees typically need to be watered two to three times a week. As the roots reach out into the bulk soil, more water can be applied and the frequency of watering can diminish to about once a week after a year. When watering the tree, soak the soil well, and then allow it to dry out somewhat before watering again. As with most plants, you don't want the tree to get too dry. The rule of thumb for mature trees is about 20 gallons of water a day during the irrigation season. Seedlings will require quite a bit less water, of course. Check the soil before watering each time to make sure it has dried somewhat. If the soil from around the roots can hold the impression of a hand when squeezed, it has enough water.

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Mulching and Fertilizing

Mulch with coarse yard mulch. Redwood bark or cocoa bean husks and shredded tree bark will work. Choose something that is woody and about 2 inches in diameter. Coarse yard mulch is available at some garden-supply centers and through tree-trimming operations. Tree-trimming operations sometimes have material that has been pruned from the tops of trees and doesn't contain any diseased roots. Use online search engines to find a local tree service. Put 20 pounds of gypsum spread around the tree base, and mulch the area with 6 inches of mulch, keeping the material about 6 to 8 inches away from the tree trunk. Fertilize your young avocado trees with ½ to 1 pound of actual nitrogen per tree per year. You can spread it out over several applications as long as it totals ½ to 1 pound of nitrogen. The other important nutrient for avocado trees is zinc. Ordinary home fertilizer for houseplants will normally work.

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Other growing tips

Be patient about seeing fruit. If you have purchased and planted a tree, you can probably expect to see your first fruit three to four years after planting. If you are growing from a seed, it can take anywhere from five to 13 years before the tree is mature enough to set fruit. When the tree does flower, expect a lot of flowers to fall without setting fruit. This is natural.

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FAQs and Troubleshooting

Should I plant a "B" type avocado with an "A" type avocado to help with good pollination?

How does temperature influence pollination and fruit set?

What can I do about my avocado tree dropping fruit?

How can I tell when my avocados are ripe and ready to pick?

So, when should I pick my avocados?

How many fruit will a mature tree produce in one year?

How many years will a normal avocado tree produce fruit?

When is the best time to prune avocado trees?

How large will my avocado tree get?

What's the creamy-white foamy looking stuff that grows out of the bark where there are cuts, or small branches have died and dropped off?

What areas of California are most hospitable to avocados?

More Resources

Not finding what you are looking for? Contact a master gardener* or see the below resources. All links open a new window:

1. Tips for the Backyard Avocado Grower (PDF) 
   This sheet, developed by the California Avocado Commission, was designed to provide Do-It-Yourself tips on growing an avocado tree
2. Ventura County Avocado Handbook* 
   This helpful handbook, hosted by the University of California Cooperative Extension, provides text book-like information on growing an avocado tree including grafting, planting, flowering and more
3. Growing Avocados (YouTube)*
   YouTube offers a helpful selection of avocado growing tips and videos from avocado enthusiasts all over the world
4. Avocado Source*
   The free, virtual library of avocado knowledge. Search for documents, research and more
5. Avocado Variety Information*
   Almost 1,000 varieties of avocados are identified on this page. Also available through this site is general avocado information, resources on flowering, irrigation, phenology and rootstocks

For cultural advice on your avocado tree or plant, please contact a master gardener* or nursery nearest you.

For assistance over the phone from a Master Gardner, try one of the following hotlines:

The California Avocado Commission does not sell, produce or have avocados, seeds or trees available for purchase. For information on where avocado trees are sold, please contact a nursery nearest you.

* Please note: The California Avocado Commission provides this information as a convenience to you; it should not be considered an endorsement by the Commission of a third-party website or the company who owns it. The Commission is not responsible for the quality, safety, completeness, or accuracy or nature of the content of the linked websites.

Are you ready to sell your house, we found a great pin we would like to share with you this morning. The best thing to do is to call us!!We have Realtors ready and available to help you! 

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Credit goes to Liz Marie Blog