Avocados are high in omega-3 fatty acids.
Austin is home to many hardy trees and plants, especially avocado trees. These trees are naturally robust because they're resistant to disease and able to produce fruit all year long. Avocado trees have adapted to different types of soil in Austin, but these trees do best when grown in soil that has good drainage. Most types of avocado trees produce flowers that bloom from January to March. Does this Spark an idea?
Guatemalan
The Guatemalan avocado tree grows especially well in Austin. The fruit is teardrop-shaped, with skin that can be thick or thin, and the foliage is dark green. Care is generally the same for all types of avocado trees; they need a lot of sun, and watering at least three times per week during dry seasons, though no watering is required if there's ample rainfall. Plant your Guatemalan avocado tree in early spring, and prepare the soil in advance by tilling the ground 15 inches deep and then digging a hole 2 to 3 feet deep. This size works well for small transplants, but you may need to dig a larger hole if the avocado transplant has an extensive root system. Add compost or cow manure to the bottom of the hole to improve soil fertility. Some trees begin producing fruit during the first year after transplantation, but other trees can take 2 to 3 years to produce mature fruit all year long.
West Indian
The West Indian avocado tree produces smooth round fruit that's glossy when it's time to be picked. The fruit turns blackish-green as it ripens, and the pit is pear-shaped. These fruits can weigh up to two pounds each, and also contain high-quality oils.
Mexican
The Mexican avocado tree has the same basic needs as the Guatemalan and West Indian varieties. This tree produces fruits that weigh 6 to 10 ounces. The skin is glossy green and paper thin, and turns black or dark green as it ripens. Pick the fruit when it's light green and firm, and allow it to continue to ripen in a cool, dry place. The fruit is not necessarily ripe when it falls from the tree, but you can distinguish how ripe the fruit is by firmness and color: Ripe avocados are slightly squishy and dark green or black.
Tags: avocado tree, dark green, West Indian, fruit year, fruit year long
