Avocado – Cold Hardy

Q: My son sent me two cold hardy avocado plants, which are said to tolerate 18 degree temperatures. Do you think I will have avocados next summer?

A: You’ll be on the bleeding edge of horticultural knowledge if you can get an avocado to produce fruit in Pendergrass. It usually takes more than five years for a small plant to grow to blooming size. I hope you received two different varieties, to insure pollination. I’d plant them near a brick wall, which will provide heat and wind protection in winter. After planting, purchase black plastic sheeting to cover the trees when winter cold approaches. Let me know what happens…and good luck!

Growing Avocados at Home