Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

What is a Dwarf Condo Avocado that fruits at 3 ft tall?

• Every fruit lover dreams of growing lots of avocado varieties, but space often gets in the way. The good news is that some avocado trees stay naturally small and compact, making them perfect for patios, balconies, and even indoor growing. These are called Condo Avocados.
• They have the same tasty fruit as full-sized trees but take up much less room. You can easily grow them in large pots or containers. They begin to fruit when it's just 2-3 feet tall and remain under 10-12 feet, even after 10 years of growth.
• The most popular condo avocados are:

🟢 Wurtz (Little Cado): A true dwarf avocado tree that stays small and grows well in containers. It can even produce fruit indoors near a sunny window.

• 🟢 Fuerte: A semi-dwarf variety that’s easy to manage and does well in pots or small yards.
• 🟢 Joey: Not a true dwarf, but naturally compact. With a bit of pruning, it can stay small and fit nicely in limited spaces.

Condo avocados are a great way to enjoy homegrown avocados even if you don’t have a big yard. Just give them sun, good soil, and regular care - and you’ll have fresh avocados right on your porch!

✔️ Check outAvocado Variety Guide interactive chart. Sort them by flower type A or B, tree habit, fruit shape and quality, cold hardiness, origin, season and more!

🛒 Shop Avocado varieties

📖 Our Book: Avocado Variety Guide, Snack or Guacamole?

• · Hard copy · PDF File Download

📚Learn more:

• ▫️Five most popular Avocado cultivars
• ▫️More posts on #Avocado

#Food_Forest #Avocado

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❄️ How to protect Avocado from cold and how hardy is it?

Growing Avocado trees in cooler regions is possible with the right variety and care. By choosing Cold Hardy types and protecting them during cold spells, you can successfully grow avocados outside tropical climates. The more mature your tree, the better it handles the cold.

• ❄️ What is Avocado cold hardiness?


Most Avocados are sensitive to frost, but some Mexican varieties can survive lows around 15°F once established, and brief dips near 10°F with good care.

• 👉 Cold tolerance depends on:

• ✦ Duration of cold: Short freezes are easier to survive.
• ✦ Sun exposure: More sun means better cold resistance.
• ✦ Wind protection: Wind can do more harm than temperature alone.
• ✦ Tree health: Regular fertilization, such as Sunshine Boosters, helps strengthen plants.

• ❄️ How to protect avocados from cold

• ✦ Bigger is better: Mature trees resist cold better than young ones.
• ✦ Wind protection: Plant on the south or southeast side of a building for warmth.
• ✦ Good fertilization: Healthy trees are stronger and more resilient.
• ✦ Watering: Water less in winter; overwatering in cold weather can cause root rot.

❄️ Protection for young plants

• ✦ Cover and mulch: Before a freeze, mound mulch around the base and cover with a blanket. Add Christmas lights or a small heater for extra warmth (use caution).
• ✦ Use microclimates: Plant near walls or buildings where it’s warmer and wind is reduced.

With a little planning and protection, you can enjoy fresh avocados even in cooler climates!

✔️ Check outAvocado Variety Guide interactive chart. Sort them by flower type A or B, tree habit, fruit shape and quality, cold hardiness, origin, season and more!

🛒  Shop Cold Hardy Avocados

📖 Our Book: Avocado Variety Guide, Snack or Guacamole?

• · Hard copy · PDF File Download

📚Learn more:

• · Can I Grow Avocado Outside the Tropics?
• · Avocado Variety Guide
• · How to grow cold-hardy avocados and how cold-hardy are they?
• · Avocado that laughs at frost: Mexicola Grande for cooler climates
• · Cold hardy Avocado Joey: you can eat with the skin
• · Posts about #Avocado

#Food_Forest #Avocado #How_to

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🍴 Avocado shrimp boats: Quick-n-Fun exotic recipes

• 
  🟢Halve an avocado, scoop out a little extra.
• 🟢Fill with sauteed shrimp tossed in garlic-lime butter.
• 🟢Enjoy instant tropical feast!

🛒 Grow your own Avocado tree

Avocado shrimp boats: Quick-n-Fun exotic recipes

Ingredients

• 2 ripe avocados
• 1 cup shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Halve the avocados and scoop out a little extra to make room.
2. Sauté shrimp in butter with garlic and lime juice until pink and cooked through.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Fill avocado halves with shrimp mixture.
5. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

#Food_Forest #Recipes #Avocado

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🍴 Avocado coconut popsicles: Quick-n-Fun exotic recipes

• 🔵Puree avocado with coconut milk and sugar.
• 🔵Pour into molds and freeze.
• 🔵Enjoy the creamiest tropical ice pops ever!

🛒 For home-grown ingredients you will need:
Home grown Avocado
Home grown Coconut

Avocado Coconut Popsicles

Ingredients

• 2 ripe avocados
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 2 tbsp sugar (or to taste)

Instructions

1. Puree avocado with coconut milk and sugar.
2. Pour into molds and freeze.
3. Enjoy the creamiest tropical ice pops ever!

#Food_Forest #Recipes #Avocado

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🍴 Avocado pineapple salsa: Quick-n-Fun exotic recipes

• 🟢Dice avocado, pineapple, and red onion.
• 🟢Toss with lime juice and cilantro.
• 🟢Sweet, creamy, tangy, and perfect on fish or just with chips.

🛒 For home-grown ingredients you will need:
Home grown Avocado
Home grown Pineapple

#Food_Forest #Recipes #Avocado

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🍴 Avocado cacao mousse: Quick-n-Fun exotic recipes

• 🟢Blend ripe avocado with cocoa powder, honey, and a splash of vanilla.
• 🟢Chill and serve like chocolate pudding.
• 🟢Nobody will guess the secret ingredient!
• 🟢Healthy and tasty!

🛒 For all-home-grown ingredients you will need:
Avocado tree fruit
Chocolate tree fruit
Vanilla Orchid Beans

#Food_Forest #Recipes #Avocado

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Avocado that laughs at frost: Mexicola Grande for cooler climates

• 🟢Avocado Mexicola Grande is one of the best cold-hardy avocados you can grow. It can tolerate temperatures down to the low 20sF, making it ideal for gardeners in zones 8b-10 who want a dependable avocado.
• 🟢Medium-sized tree, grows to about 15-20 feet tall, but you can keep it smaller with pruning.
• 🟢Glossy black fruit, thin-skinned, smooth, and shiny black when ripe - easy to peel and eat fresh.
• 🟢Anise-scented leaves: its foliage has a mild anise aroma when crushed, which is unique to Mexican-type avocados.
• 🟢Creamy and rich: the fruit has a high oil content and a buttery flavor, excellent for guacamole or toast.
• 🟢Early producer: often fruits earlier in the season compared to other varieties.
• 🟢 A great addition if you're looking for a productive, flavorful avocado that can handle cooler temps!

🛒  Shop Cold Hardy Avocados

📚Learn more:

• · Avocado can you eat with the skin: cold hardy Joey
• · Can I Grow Avocado Outside the Tropics?
• · Avocado Variety Guide
• · Posts about #Avocado

#Food_Forest #Avocado

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What avocado you can eat with the skin? Cold hardy Avocado Joey

• 🟢Prime picks for serious gardeners! Cold-hardy, creamy, and compact - Joey is a must-have for growers in cooler zones!
• 🟢Joey avocado is a cold-hardy, Type  B avocado with creamy, nutty flavor and purple-black skin. The fruit has smooth, thin, purple-black skin and rich, buttery, somewhat sweet flesh with a nutty flavor - perfect for slicing. The skin is so thin - you can eat it with skin!
• 🟢Discovered by Joey Ricers in Uvalde, Texas, Joey is a compact egg-shaped avocado that thrives even in cooler climates (surviving the teens to 20s F) and ripens from August to October. It survived temperatures around 10F near San Antonio, Texas (Zone 8b). Once established, the tree can take temperatures down to 15F for short period of time without significant damage.
• 🟢Growing into a dense, upright tree reaching 10-25 ft, it's self-pollinating but pairs well with a Type  A variety to boost yield
• 🟢Heavy bearer, Joey is a top choice for cooler subtropical regions and container gardens alike.

🛒  Shop Cold Hardy Avocados

📚Learn more:

• · Can I Grow Avocado Outside the Tropics?
• · Avocado Variety Guide
• · Posts about #Avocado

#Food_Forest #Avocado

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⚡️ Five best tropical fruits to naturally boost your energy

How to boost your energy without coffee, or taking medications and supplements? Naturally - from your #Food_Forest! These 5 tropical fruits are not only delicious but packed with nutrients that support natural, sustained energy.

• 🔥 Banana - Packed with vitamin B6, potassium, and natural sugars, bananas provide a quick yet steady energy boost, perfect for pre- or post-workout fuel.
• 🔥 Mango - Rich in natural sugars and B vitamins, mangoes help convert food into usable energy while also supporting digestion for better nutrient absorption.
• 🔥 Jackfruit - Loaded with vitamin B1 (thiamine) and complex carbohydrates, jackfruit fuels the body steadily and supports healthy energy metabolism throughout the day.
• 🔥 Avocado - A powerhouse of monounsaturated fats, B vitamins, and potassium, avocados help sustain energy levels and promote healthy circulation for optimal vitality.
• 🔥 Macadamia Nut - Loaded with thiamine (B1) and healthy fats that support nervous system function and long-lasting energy without blood sugar crashes.

📚 Learn more:

• ▫️ Fuel Your Day Naturally: Grow Plants That Boost Your Energy
• ▫️ Tropical fruit helath benefits guide - Part 1 and Part 2

🛒 Shop Energy-Boosting Plants for Natural Energy

#Food_Forest #Discover #Remedies #Bananas #Avocado #Mango #Jackfruit

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How to grow cold-hardy avocados and how cold-hardy are they?

Growing avocados in colder regions is possible with the right variety and care. By selecting Cold Hardy varieties, ensuring proper care, and taking protective steps during cold spells, you can successfully grow avocados outside of tropical climates.

The more established your tree, the better it will tolerate colder weather.

🌡 What is Avocado cold hardiness?

Avocados are sensitive to freezing temperatures but some Mexican varieties are cold-hardy, surviving temperatures as low as 15F once established. With proper care, some can endure brief cold snaps down to 10F.

• 👉 Cold hardiness depends on several factors, including:

• 🟢 Duration of cold: How long the tree is exposed to freezing temperatures.
• 🟢 Sun exposure: Trees with more sunlight tend to handle cold better.
• 🟢 Wind protection: Wind can make cold weather more damaging.
• 🟢 Tree health: Proper care, including fertilization, can improve cold tolerance.

❄️ How to protect avocados from cold

If you're growing avocados in a cooler climate, it's essential to protect them from harsh cold. Here are some tips:

• 🟢 Bigger is Better: Larger, more established trees are generally more cold-tolerant than young ones.
• 🟢 Wind Protection: Cold winds can be more damaging than the temperature itself. Plant your avocado in a sheltered spot, such as on the south or southeast side of a building, where it’s protected from strong winds.
• 🟢 Good Fertilization: A healthy tree is more likely to withstand cold. Make sure your avocado receives regular fertilization throughout the growing season to keep it strong.
• 🟢 Watering: Avocados need regular watering, but during winter, they require much less water. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot in cold conditions.

✍️ Specific protection for young plants

• 🟢 Covering and mulching: When a freeze is expected, mound mulch around the trunk to insulate the roots and cover the tree with a blanket for warmth. For extra protection, use Christmas lights or a small heater under the cover, following safety precautions.
• 🟢 Microclimates matter: Plant your tree closer to a building for better cold protection. Placing it in the warmest part of your landscape will help it get more heat during winter.
• 🟢 With proper care and protection, you can enjoy fresh avocados even in cooler climates!

🛒  Shop Cold Hardy Avocados

📚Learn more:

• · Can I Grow Avocado Outside the Tropics?
• · Avocado Variety Guide
• · Posts about #Avocado

#Food_Forest #Avocado #How_to

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals