Choosing the Right Time for Avocado Harvest: Practical Tips for Picking Avocados
Avocados, the creamy green superfood, are a popular choice for many. But did you know that the timing of their harvest can significantly affect their flavour and texture? Here's a comprehensive guide to help you pick the perfect avocados.
Avocados should ideally be harvested when they have reached their full mature size but are still firm and not yet ripe. This usually happens around 5 to 6 months after flowering, depending on the variety. For instance, Long Neck avocados take this long, while other varieties might require slightly less or more time.
The firmness of the avocado is crucial. Mature avocados will be full size but hard to the touch. Picking them too early will result in avocados that won't soften properly. After picking, leave them at room temperature to ripen over several days until they yield slightly to gentle pressure, indicating readiness to eat.
Seasonal influences also play a role in avocado harvesting. Avocado trees typically flower and fruit once a year, and the harvest time depends on the climate and specific cultivar. In warmer growing zones, trees yield fruit more consistently during the typical growing season. Cold-hardy avocado varieties can produce fruit in fall, even in cooler climates.
To ensure the best flavour and texture, it's essential to harvest avocados in stages. This practice not only extends your supply but also allows you to enjoy ripe avocados over a longer period.
When harvesting, use sharp pruning shears to cut the stem to reduce damage to both the fruit and tree. Handle the avocados gently to prevent bruising. Once harvested, transfer them to the fridge when they start to feel soft to help slow down the ripening process and keep them fresh for a longer time.
Some popular avocado varieties include the Hass, known for its rich, creamy texture and nutty taste, the Pinkerton, which boasts a long shape, great oil content, and a particularly rich flavour, and the Fuerte, with a creamy texture and a slight anise flavour. Other varieties like Reed, Zutano, and Bacon offer unique tastes and textures.
Gently squeezing an avocado can help determine its ripeness. A mature avocado will have a darker skin colour than an immature one. When the stem area underneath is green, the avocado is ready for harvest.
Larry Meyers, with over 10 years of lawn and landscaping experience, aims to share his vast knowledge in the field of gardening, including the art of avocado harvesting. By following these guidelines, you'll be well on your way to enjoying perfectly ripe avocados all year round.
Your home-and-garden lifestyle can be enriched with the art of avocado gardening. To ensure the best flavour and texture, it's advisable to harvest avocados in stages, following Larry Meyers' guidelines on avocado harvesting. By picking mature yet firm avocados and allowing them to ripen at room temperature, you'll be well on your way to enjoying perfectly ripe avocados all year round.
