Avocados are in season in Florida, and there is plenty to go around for everyone. This ‘alligator pear’ is all the rage, and it comes with various benefits. Learn all about them and how to grow avocados with this article.

The avocado is a prized fruit in Florida. In fact, after citrus, avocado is the 2nd most popular fruit. A medium-sized tree, avocados are one of the most important fruits in the American tropics.

Since then, avocados have been cultivated in Florida since 1833 and have been a staple part of the Floridian diet. There are plenty of varieties available as well, and it is planted throughout coastal areas of Florida. It is Florida’s Avocado Season!

This article is a compilation of the several benefits of avocado and growing avocados in Florida by readers in their own homes.

Benefits of Avocado

The avocado is a rather unique fruit due to its nutrient make-up. Compared to other fruits, it is not filled with crabs but rather chock-full of healthy fats.

Below are some proven benefits of the avocado, supported by research.

• Incredibly Nutritious

Avocados have been called a ‘super food’ by health lovers, and it isn’t just hubris. Avocado is packed with healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, E, K, and B complex. These are extremely beneficial for the body and brain.

Eating fats signals the body to turn off the appetite to serve as a vital part of dieting regimens.

• Heart Health

Avocados contain 25 mg of a naturally occurring plant sterol called beta-sitosterol. It aids the body in controlling and maintaining healthy blood cholesterol levels, which plays an essential role in keeping our heart healthy.

• Prevention of Osteoporosis

Avocado contains around half of the daily required amount of Vitamin K. K plays an indispensable role in bone health maintenance. It increases calcium absorption and decreases urinary secretion of calcium.

How to Grow Avocados

Growing any fruit requires certain conditions to be met, and avocado is not different. There are specifications for its optimum growth. These include:

• Location for Growing Avocados

The best areas for growing avocados in Florida are the lowland tropical or free subtropical climate areas near Florida. Some varieties are cold-tolerant, but mostly they require warmer and more humid climates.

• Soil

The native Floridian soil is best for avocado growth, but it must be well-drained, preferably in mounds of soil.

• Watering Schedule

The plant should be watered on alternate days for the first week, then once or twice a week for a couple of months.