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Date:

Enjoy FREE SHIPPING for Mangos and Avocados!

Free shipping

Two taste better than one!

Limited time offer: FREE SHIPPING for Mangos and Avocados!
Buy any 2 (or more) 3-gallon mangos and/or avocados, in any combination, and those plants will ship to you for FREE!

We've managed to slash your shipping costs by working with our shipping partners. Now we are passing the saving to you!

This promotion applies to ground shipping up to 4 days for eligible Florida*, Texas and California zip codes. Check the outbound UPS ground map below (from 33905) for qualifying locations. You can also see qualifying zip codes in your shopping cart.

Promotion applies to 3 gal size pots only. Any other plants in your order are subject to our normal shipping rates and policies.
Expiration: October 31st or while supplies last.
Must be UPS serviceable address, no PO Boxes.
*Free shipping of all Mango and Avocado trees to Florida has no expiration date.

Free shipping

Avocado trees

Cat in a box

Date:

What trees will fruit quickly? Top 10 fast-fruiting trees

What trees will fruit quickly? Top 10 fast-fruiting trees
🥭 What trees will fruit quickly? Top 10 fast-fruiting trees

Q: I would like to plant several fruit trees... I am 85 years old and hope to see them fruiting soon. What fruit trees can you recommend that will fruit quickly?

A: Most grafted fruit trees, such as Mango, Avocado, and Peaches, will fruit quickly - often within the same year or the next. There are also many wonderful tropical fruits that will produce for you within a year or two, even without the need for grafting.

⚠️ In our next posts we will introduce to you the top 10 of most popular, most rewarding and easy to grow fast fruiting tropical trees...

📚 Discover 10 fast-fruiting trees in the following posts:
  1. Annona - Sugar Apple, Custard Apple
  2. Guava (Psidium sp.): Cattley and Tropical guava
  3. Eugenias - Tropical Cherries
  4. Barbados Cherry (Malpighia glabra)
  5. Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica)
  6. Papaya (Carica papaya)
  7. Mulberry (Morus hybrids)
  8. Carambola - Starfruit (Averrhoa carambola)
  9. Blackberry Jam Fruit (Randia formosa)
  10. Peanut Butter Tree (Bunchosia argentea)


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Date:

Top ten fast-fruiting trees

Cat fruit in a box

Q: I would like to plant several fruit trees... I am 85 years old and hope to see them fruiting soon. What fruit trees can you recommend that will fruit quickly?

A: Most grafted fruit trees, such as Mango, Avocado, and Peaches, will fruit quickly - often within the same year or the next. There are also many wonderful tropical fruits that will produce for you within a year or two, even without the need for grafting. Below are the top 10 of most popular, most rewarding and easy to grow fast fruiting tropical trees:

1. Annona - Sugar Apple, Custard Apple.

Annona - Sugar Apple, Custard Apple

Annonas are the fastest fruiting trees: 2-3-4 years from seed to fruit, depending on species. They are the best tropical fruit trees suited for container growing, due to their small height and can be maintained within 6-8 ft tall.

2. Guava (Psidium sp.): Cattley and Tropical guava

Guava fruit - Psidium

Guava is a reliable producer, starts fruiting in a pot at small size. Some varieties, especially Cattley guavas - Psidium littorale - are relatively cold hardy and can take some frost without damage. Guavas are fast growing small trees or large bushes.

3. Eugenia - Tropical Cherries

Eugenias - Tropical Cherries

Eugenias are favorites of Southern gardens. They are relatively cold hardy and start producing right away. Black Surinam Cherry Lolita and Grumichama are our favorites!

4. Barbados Cherry (Malpighia glabra)

Barbados Cherry - Malpighia glabra

Another exceptional tropical cherry is Barbados Cherry. It is super popular as a heavy producer. The plant can start fruiting when it's only a few inches tall! If you are looking for a compact, but fast growing tree with colorful fruit that starts fruiting right away - plant Barbados Cherry. It will also happily fruit in containers.

5. Eriobotrya (Eriobotrya japonica)

Loquat - Eriobotrya japonica

Loquat tree is fast-growing, drought-tolerant, cold-tolerant, compact tropical fruit tree. It is a heavy producer. Fruits are juicy, aromatic, and resemble apricots. Ripen from early Spring to early Summer. Ideal for small gardens, beginner fruit tree growers.

6. Papaya (Carica papaya)

Papaya

Papaya is probably the fastest fruiting tree that can start production the same year from planting a seed. Many dwarf varieties available in selection, reaching only 6-8 ft tall, but producing large crops of full size fruit - they are easy to harvest. Plant 2-3 Papaya trees of different cultivars that fruit at different times of the year and enjoy heavy crops of healthy fruit year around! Another benefit - this tree doesn't take much space in the garden, you can plant as many as you want.

7. Mulberry (Morus hybrids)

Mulberry

Mulberry is very cold hardy and can grow in wide range of climate zones, from USDA 5 to 10. Everyone knows this sweet, tasty, juicy fruit. The tree will produce right away, you will see fruit the next season after planting, and the tree grows fast.

8. Carambola - Starfruit (Averrhoa carambola)

Carambola - Starfruit, Averrhoa carambola

Growing Carambola tree is a fun and rewarding way to enjoy this unique star-shaped delicious fruit right at home. It fruits on the 3d year from seed. The tree is easy to grow and reliable producer, providing wind protection.

9. Blackberry Jam Fruit (Randia formosa)

Blackberry Jam Fruit - Randia formosa

Blackberry Jam Fruit, Jasmin de Rosa is a curious small evergreen tree or bush that combines features of a fragrant flower and delicious dessert fruit which tastes like fresh Blackberry jam. Fragrant white flowers are similar to Gardenia.

10. Peanut Butter Tree (Bunchosia argentea)

Peanut Butter Tree - Bunchosia argentea

Peanut Butter Tree, earns its name from its fleshy fruits that boast a delightful peanut butter flavor. Compact in size, small tree reaching only 10-15 ft or kept as a bush, it's a perfect choice for limited spaces. Can thrive indoors, starting to fruit within just 2-3 years from seed.

Date:

How to make an improved Avocado sandwich

How to make an improved Avocado sandwich
🥑 How to make an improved Avocado sandwich.

  • 💚 Ingredients
    :

  • · 1 ripe avocado
  • · 2 slices of your favorite bread (whole grain, sourdough, etc.)
  • · 1 small tomato, sliced
  • · 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
  • · A handful of fresh spinach or arugula
  • · 1-2 tablespoons of hummus or mayonnaise
  • · Salt and pepper to taste
  • · Optional: A squeeze of lemon juice, red pepper flakes, or a fried egg


💚 Instructions:

  • · Toast the slices of bread until they're golden and crispy.
  • · Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, and scoop the flesh into a bowl. You can either slice it or mash it with a fork until smooth, then season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.
  • · Spread hummus or mayonnaise on one slice of the toasted bread.
  • · Layer the avocado, sliced tomato, red onion, and fresh spinach or arugula.
  • · Top with the second slice of bread (optional).
  • · Cut the sandwich in half and serve immediately.


🍿 Enjoy!

🛒 Grow your own Avocado

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Healthy breakfast, lunch or snack: Avocado sandwich

Avocado toast

Avocado toast

🥑 Healthy breakfast, lunch or snack: Avocado sandwich

Avocado toast is creamy, crisp and so satisfying. It’s a delicious and simple breakfast, snack or light meal!

🥪 Ingredients (makes 1 toast):
  • ◾️ 1 slice of bread (thick-sliced whole-grain or rye bread is the best)
  • ◾️ ½ ripe avocado
  • ◾️ Pinch of salt and black pepper


📝 Instructions:
  • • Toast your slice of bread until golden and firm.
  • • Remove the pit from your avocado. Use a big spoon to scoop out the flesh.
  • • Spread avocado on top of your toast.
  • • Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper.


🍿 Enjoy!

🛒 Grow your own Avocado

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Five most exotic avocado varieties

Avocado Bacon

Avocado Bacon

Avocado Black Prince

Avocado Black Prince

Avocado Mexicola

Avocado Mexicola

Avocado Reed

Avocado Reed

Avocado Russel (red)

Avocado Russel (red)

🥑 Five most exotic avocado varieties

👀 We introduced 10 most popular varieties in our earlier posts. Here are 5 more - interesting and unusual cultivars.
  1. Bacon - A large Mexican variety with dark-skinned medium sized fruits, and a rich creamy flavor. It is very cold hardy, late-producing variety of Avocado tree with exceptional fruit. It is a highly productive tree with a lovely upright and spreading habit. Its dark green, glossy leaves lend an attractive, tropical appeal to the 15-20 feet of heigh. The oval fruits ripen in late fall and into spring. The fruits are easy to peel and have a light, subtle flavor. The tree has angelic sweeping branches which helps keep the tree shorter and easier to pick its fruit.
  2. Black Prince - The fruit was large, oval, 16-36 oz, green and slightly pebbly. The fruit turns black couple days after it is picked, ripens and softens. Black Prince deserves its title! The fruit pulp is thick, and has a rich, nutty flavor. The trees grow vigorously. Superior variety for a backyard grower. Harvesting mid-August to mid-September.
  3. Mexicola - black fruit, rich butter content, one of the most cold hardy varieties. Mature trees may withstand temperatures in the low-mid 20s.
  4. Reed - The fruit is large, weighing over a pound and round in shape. It has a large seed, but plenty of edible flesh. The skin remains green even when ripe. It is described by some as the best tasting avocado, buttery, bold, rich and nutty with an oil content of about 20%. It is a type A avocado, but fruits consistently year after year without other avocado trees around. It can be kept to around 15 feet with pruning. The branches do tend to droop horizontally.
  5. Russel (green and red) - easily recognized by its gourd-like shape, large, 24-36 oz and up to 13 inches long! Flesh is yellow, sweet, excellent quality, the seed is small.


  6. 📚 Learn more: Avocado Variety Guide - check this out for interactive chart of Avocado varieties and sort them by flower type A or B, tree habit, fruit shape and quality, cold hardiness, origin, season and more!

    What is your favorite Avocado variety?
    Share in comments
    👇

    🛒 Shop Avocado Trees

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What is the best Avocado variety? Five more most popular Avocado cultivars - total of 10

Avocado Joey

Avocado Joey

Avocado Day

Avocado Day

Avocado Ulala (Super Hass)

Avocado Ulala (Super Hass)

Avocado Fantastic

Avocado Fantastic

Avocado Monroe

Avocado Monroe

🥑 What is the best Avocado variety? Five more most popular Avocado cultivars - total of 10!

🏆 We introduced 5 most popular varieties in our previous post. Here is 5 more, making it 10 total.

6. Joey - very cold hardy variety. Produces medium size, egg shaped purple-black fruit. It has excellent flavor. Heavy bearer. Season: September-October. It survived temperatures around 10F near San Antonio, Texas (Zone 8b). Can take temperatures down to 15F for a short period of time without significant damage.

7. Day - green, smooth skin and is shaped like a club. The fruit is of very good quality and has a nice buttery consistency. The slender tree is very cold tolerant and produces July through September.

8. Ulala (Super Hass) - sometimes called Uhlala or Uh-La-La. Cold hardy variety that can take temperatures down to 18F for short period of time without significant damage. The fruit is black skinned, with smooth texture. Seed is very small.

9. Fantastic - very cold hardy variety, supposedly the most most cold hardy of all avocados. Produces green, paper thin skin. The fruit has a creamy texture. It survived temperatures around 10F near San Antonio, Texas (Zone 8b) and can take temperatures down to 15F for short period of time without significant damage.

10. Monroe - inherited from its Guatemalan-type parent some degree of cold hardiness. In addition, the trees produced a very large, elliptical-shaped fruit with good eating qualities. Good producer, commercial cultivar in Florida. Legend has it that "it was found in Homestead, Florida on a cool dark rainy night after a meteor crashed into an abandoned papaya plantation."

📚 Learn more: Avocado Variety Guide - check this out for interactive chart of Avocado varieties and sort them by flower type A or B, tree habit, fruit shape and quality, cold hardiness, origin, season and more!

What is your favorite Avocado variety?
Share in comments
👇

🛒 Shop Avocado Trees

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Date:

How to protect fruit in your garden from greedy competitors

Mango Orange Essence fruiting

Fruit bags

Fruit bags

Squirrel

Squirrel

🐰🐁🐿🦫 How to protect fruit in your garden from greedy competitors
  • 🥭 Mango season is here, and so are squirrels, bunnies, birds, rats, and raccoons... They also love the delicious fruit but don't like to share. So you may end up getting their leftovers if anything!


  • Here is how we protect our mango and avocado fruit - so far it works great:

  • 💰💰💰 Fruit Protection Bags

These mesh netting bags/covers are made of strong nylon and have an easy drawstring, helping to protect developing fruit on a tree from insects, birds, and rodents. With drawstring closures on both ends, you can easily tighten bag around the fruit. Available from Amazon for only 15 cents a piece.

🥭 🥑🍒 Enjoy your fruit!

🛒 Dont's have your own mango tree? Plant one now to enjoy fruit tomorrow.

📚 Fun reading: Penelope, the Squirrel Cat

#How_to #Food_Forest

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Date:

How to have fresh Papaya fruit year around

Papaya fruit: Waimanalo, Sunrise, Maradol

Papaya fruit: Waimanalo, Sunrise, Maradol

Papaya tree

Papaya tree

🍊 How to have fresh Papaya fruit year around
  • 🟠 Many people include Papaya fruit in their daily diet because of its healing properties for digestive system. You can eat Papaya fresh as a tasty dessert, add to salads ripe or green, use fruit and leaf wraps in cooking - possibilities are endless.
  • 🟠 Buying papaya fruit from the store every day can become costly. So you can plant your own tree - Papayas are heavy producers. But like with many fruit trees, the question may arise:

What to do with so many fruit at once, and where to get the fruit when it's out of season?
  • 🟠 The answer is: plant several varieties. Different Papaya cultivars, similar to Mango and Avocado, have different crop seasons.
  • 🟠 If you want to enjoy fresh delicious Papaya fruit year around, plant several Papaya varieties in your garden that have different ripening times.

  • For example:
    Waimanalo - ripens from July to October and sporadically throughout the year.
    Sunrise - ripens from January through September and sporadically throughout the year.
    Maradol - ripens from August through March and sporadically throughout the year.
  • 🟠 Papaya tree doesn't take any room in your garden: similar to a palm tree, all its leaves/crown is up high, so you can plant as many trees as you want in a very limited space and still use the room under Papaya tree for other plants.


🛒 Limited time offer: Papaya collection - 3 trees for half price!

Shop Papaya varieties

📚 Learn more from previous posts:
The secret facts of Papaya's private life
Top 3 most wanted Papaya varieties

#Food_Forest

🏵 TopTropicals

Date:

Avocado fruit on a tree

Five most popular Avocado varieties

Food Forest

"What is the best variety of Avocado?"
"Do you have the one with small black fruit and bumpy skin?"
"I have avocado with very large green fruit, what variety is it?"

These are frequently asked questions we get from our customers. This basic "classification" by black/green doesn't encompass all the wonderful qualities avocados have to offer. There are numerous hybrids in cultivation, and once you plant your first tree and taste the REAL fruit (not from the grocery store), you'll be eager to explore other varieties. While it's true that avocado fruit can vary in "butter" content, most superior varieties are equally delicious. First comes first -

The most popular Avocado varieties this year are:

1. Brogdon - red-purple pear-shaped fruit, 7-15 oz. Skin is very thin, yellow buttery flesh. Fruit ripens in late summer-fall. Very cold hardy.

2. Hass - probably the most popular, but this tree prefers drier climate (Florida is humid, so we plant adaptable Florida Hass here). The fruit is dark-colored with a rough and bumpy skin, turns black when ripe.

3. Fuerte - a dwarf and a very cold hardy variety. Everybody's favorite "Condo Avocado": perfect for container culture and small yards. The mature tree in the ground is under 15 ft; 6-7 ft in containers.

4. Oro Negro - Oro Negro means "black gold" in Spanish, which is an incredibly appropriate name for this fruit. This Monroe hybrid (with big size fruit) is crossed with a Mexican type which would explain the black skin. The flesh is rich and buttery with a creamy texture.

5. Winter Mexican - one of most cold hardy varieties, Guatemalan x Mexican origin. Mature trees may withstand temperatures in the mid 20s. Oblong fruit, 12-18 oz, thick green skin. Very vigorous tree, bears heavily and regularly in December-January.

Learn more: Avocado Variety Guide - check this out for interactive chart of Avocado varieties and sort them by flower type A or B, tree habit, fruit shape and quality, cold hardiness, origin, season and more!

Avocado Hass

Photo above: Avocado Hass

Avocado Fuerte

Photo above: Avocado Fuerte

Avocado Oro Negro

Photo above: Avocado Oro-Negro

Avocado Winter Mexican

Photo above: Avocado Winter-Mexican