Growing California Avocados

The Index Fresh Avocado Cultural Seminar Series is hosting a seminar concerning spring cultural tips and irrigation automation and technology.  The seminar will take place on March 22 in Temecula, CA and on March 29 it will be hosted in Ventura with simultaneous Spanish translation and a Zoom webinar option.

The California Avocado Commission is pleased to announce that the Special Local Needs registration for ProGibb LV Plus Plant Growth Regulator Solution (gibberellic acid) use on avocados in California has been renewed through December 31, 2025. Learn more.

Planting California avocado trees generally takes place beginning in February, therefore Dr. Ben Faber recently shared planting advice based on common mistakes he sees in groves. Following is a summary of his observations concerning planting depth and soil amendments.

A recent article in the Topics in Subtropics newsletter notes red imported fire ants were found to be girdling and killing young avocado trees in the summer of 2022. Learn more about the pest and best mitigation practices. 

Members of the California avocado industry in need of satisfying the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule requirement are encouraged to attend the Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course that will be held on February 22.

A new seminar, entitled “Get Down – Fertilizers,” will discuss fertilization best practices and how to read water and soil reports for California avocado groves. The event will be held February 15 from 10:00 a.m. – noon with in-person and virtual attendance options available.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops program provides specialty crop producers with financial assistance for certain on-farm food safety program expenses. The 2023 application will become available on February 1, 2023.

California avocado growers are encouraged to complete the San Diego County’s Agriculture, Weights and Measures’ 2022 Crop Report Questionnaire. The data gathered from the survey is published in the Crop Statistics and Annual Report for the County.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service is distributing the 2022 Agricultural Resource Management Survey to producers across the nation between January and April 2023. California avocado growers are encouraged to complete the survey, which is part of NASS’ efforts to gather information about farm economics and production practices.