Why You Should Grow Your Own Avocados

If you're in Southern California, you're lucky to be able to grow so many different types of fruit, and one of the best things you can grow is an avocado tree. Avocados are one fruit that seems to bring every culture together. As a Mexican American, avocados have always been a big part of our meals and our family.

For some people, growing avocados comes naturally. They eat an amazing avocado, plant the pit in the side yard, and before they know it, they have a tree producing great fruit. Believe it or not, I grew up hearing stories like this all over East Los Angeles, and I've actually seen it happen.

For others, growing avocados can be a little more challenging. There are a lot of factors that come into play. Maybe you planted your tree in heavy clay soil without building a mound. Maybe the potting mix had too much organic material and stayed too wet, or maybe the tree was overwatered and slowly developed root rot. Unfortunately, that can lead to a slow decline.

The good news is that if you live in the Los Angeles area, you can grow a successful avocado tree. It just takes choosing the right variety, planting it correctly, and giving it the care it needs.

Before buying a tree, try to taste different avocado varieties if you can. Everyone has a favorite, and once you find yours, you'll enjoy growing it even more. If you only have room for one or two trees, I usually recommend GEM or Reed. If you've visited my hill, you've probably noticed I have a lot of those two varieties. Why? Because they're incredibly productive, produce excellent-quality fruit, and are some of my favorite trees to grow.

So if you've been on the fence about growing an avocado tree here in Los Angeles, this is your sign to give it a try—or to try again. There's nothing better than walking outside and picking your own fresh avocado from a tree you grew yourself.