Things You'll Need:
- Avocado tree
- Shovel
- Knife or shears
- Hose
- Compost
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Step 1
Choose a site well shaded from the sun, such as on the side of the house or a large tree in the yard. Soil must be fast draining to avoid over saturation of the avocado tree roots causing root rot.
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Step 2
Dig a hole for the avocado tree 1 foot deep and two to three times the diameter of the rootball. Use the shovel to break up the soil in the bottom of the hole so it's loose instead of compact.
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Step 3
Use your hose to fill the hole with water approximately half way. Allow the water to seep into the soil. Take your knife or shears and cut the plastic pot away from the root ball of the avocado tree. Place the tree into the empty hole.
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Step 4
Mix compost into the soil you removed to make the hole. The mixture should be equal parts compost and soil. Make sure the compost is thoroughly mixed with the soil.
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Step 5
Fill in the hole with the compost and soil mixture. Stop filling the hole when it's 1 to 2 inches from the top. This recess forms a basin for water that will push salt in the water away from the roots of the young tree. Salt will burn the avocado's roots and kill it.
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Step 6
Water a young avocado tree two to three times a week, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering. Place hose near base of tree and allow water to trickle out of the hose for a few hours, a process known as deep watering. For established trees, lay a hose at the outer perimeter of the tree's leaves to water.
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Step 7
Check for dryness of the soil in high temperatures during the summer and increase water accordingly. Decrease watering during the winter and rainy season.
