Planting avocado trees in clay soil

Planting Reed and Lamb Hass avocado trees in the backyard. Clay soil amendment. Bunny helper in the garden.
Description of the avocado planting method followed: ucanr.edu/blogs...
The above document is from the Avocado planting advice: ucanr.edu/blogs...

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

Two-year update with time lapse is available here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGfOdoaCjquIqJo 10-month update on the avocado hill is available here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/equ8f3-GjN5nesU One-month update on the avocado hill is available here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gH6vkqOPn6mVq8U

[@1cleandude]

Epic job brother I pray the nursery pot wasn’t filled with forest compost! Wishing you have great success!🙏🙏🙏

[@KennethStevenson3]

I can't believe how hard you worked to plant these trees. The meticulous way you went about layering the different soils before mixing them, how clean the dig-out for the hole was etc. was way different than I would have done it. Likely just your personality, I get it I love working in the yard too. Was enjoyable to watch.

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

Thank you very much for your comment!

[@rickyradioactivehorsehunte2247]

This is the ultimate gardening.........a whole new level........must see an update on how these avocados turn out.Talk about enjoying the fruits of your labour.......its a thumbs up from Australia.

[@jesuswantsyoutopayme]

If anyone has any criticism or pointers... make a video. Show me. I don’t BELIEVE you know shit. I KNOW you can’t prove shit. This guys a pro. I love experts with not even a picture.

[@NMW80]

I can’t wait to see an update on these avo trees to see how healthy they are. You sure have given them a good start in life mate. A lot of work but well worth it I’m sure.

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

becksta29, Thank you very much for your comments! I plan to create a 2-year update on the avocado trees real soon.

[@NMW80]

Subtropical Fruit Garden looking forward to it mate

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

becksta29, 2-year update on the avocado trees is now posted on my channel.

[@sylviajones2911]

Cute bunny, it kept trying to get a bite of the tree! So cute!

[@sharonhoffer3599]

I love your bunny 🐰 that follows you around. Thank you so much for this video. I love the depth of information. I also have clay soil, and am planning to plant 2 avocado trees and will use this method definitely. I don’t want to plant them half heartedly then lose them 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

Sharon Hoffer, Thank you for watching and for your nice comments! Good luck with your avocado trees!

[@Selfsufficientme]

Great work! I didn't realise gophers were such a problem for fruit trees - glad we don't have them here... All the best with your avocado tree/s, cheers :)

[@lindamjohnson4989]

I heard you can say them bubble gum and they will die double bubble gum

[@christianhernandez7007]

Nice trees, I live in riverside county which is mostly DG soil. I keep my trees in large containers or wood nursery box for 1-2 years until it’s used to my climate before planting it.

[@adarshguptak]

Amazing! You're a hard worker!

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

Thank you!

[@romr6824]

Thank you for the video, you inspired me to plant my avocados.

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

Rom R, Thank you for watching and for your comment! Good luck with your avocados!

[@Gongdeadman]

When engineer took up gardening...

[@alicehubenko810]

Nice video! I would like to see more of Caramel the gardener bunny :-)

[@rickyradioactivehorsehunte2247]

Oh if you weren't buggered after preparing that hole ......you were certainly buggered after trying to get that plant out the pot......had to mention it.......good job mate.

[@kaisign1405]

You got very nice workable garden,I just little concerned your two avocado was too close to each other, the big avocados three may block all the sun light for the smaller Avocado

[@Yongc6101]

I like a bunny in your backyard.

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

Yong Choe, Thank you for watching and for your comment!

[@SpYucaipaSoCal]

A elevated pile of good sandy earth. Plant the trees. A couple bags of compost on top of the pile. Water it in. Late nature run its course. Thats too much work. And how much did he spend on all those ingredients.

[@segapena5033]

Just got a 7ft little cado I'm going to plant next to my palmer mango though I might have to move the mango another 2ft so they're spaced apart a little more. I have a 3ft long auger I use to drill down even further punching holes at the bottom and backfilling those holes with a native soil gritty cactus mix blend to help with the drainage. I also mount all my plantings with tropicals like avocado and mangos being in at least 1ft tall mounds. I'll find out if method works. It's worked so far with my jacaranda and tabebuia trees even after the long cold and rainy winter we just had.

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

segapena5033, Thank you for watching! Good luck with your new tree.

[@Art321Art321]

It will take him twenty years before he brakes even on these trees with all the money, water, time and maintenance. Sometimes the pride of the homeowner and the knowledge of doing a great job is worth the cost.

[@shannatran7586]

Could you please let me know what is the ingredients for the soils, because I don’t understand what you said. Thanks

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

@shannatran7586, Thank you for watching! I followed the recommendation from the link in the description of this video. The soil consists of equal parts of washed sand, pumice, and coir.

[@TheTrueabundance]

it looks like your soil is the same as mine here in south Spain. Clay with sand under. Great for when it doesn't rain for 3 months but terrible if we have more than one day of heavy rain - it floods. I've planted my avocados in raised beds of mature compost and hoping for the best...

[@ulrichtjinliepshie20]

A mount is better than a hole

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

@@ulrichtjinliepshie20, Thank you for watching! What I built is not a hole or a pool. It is a mound built over a shallow hole. Please see the attached PDF link where this method is explained in detail. It is commercial practice today at least in California.

[@ulrichtjinliepshie20]

I live in Suriname zone 11b lots off rain and where I live is also clay soil. I built a mount to plant my avocado.

[@zadhusainy8537]

@@SubtropicalFruitGarden where is the link

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

@@zadhusainy8537Thank you for watching The link is in the description ucanr.edu/blogs/slomggarden/blogfiles/4257.pdf

[@maggiewang8861]

Both Reed and Lamb Hass are type A avocados, so you should plant a type B avocado to get benefit from cross polination.

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

Hi Maggie. Thank you for the comment. You are correct: research shows one will get about 15% better cross pollination if there is a type B avocado planted near a type A avocado tree. I did graft Kona Sharwil type B avocado onto my Lamb Hass tree.

[@lindamjohnson4989]

I feel for you working so hard

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

Thank you!

[@XaViEr3520]

If one thinks gardening is work, then you shouldn’t be gardening

[@corneliardc3328]

Newbie here..I’m looking this for a long time coz our backyard has clay soil n all fruits I planted died after few months. Thanks for step by step instructions. Now I will start again. What month is the best to transfer avocado from pot to lot. I have also mangoes started from seed. I’m from LA California. Subscribed done.thanks 😊👍

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

Frecon Vlogs, Thank you for watching! I would not plant an avocado tree before or during a heat wave (like the one we have coming this weekend). Other than that you can plant an avocado tree any month. In summer, make sure it is well watered. If the tree is not used to full sun, put a shade cloth above it for a few weeks. Put a lot of mulch on top of the soil under the tree. Mango trees love heat and don't like cold wet soil, I would plant mango trees in spring after the rainy season is over or at least a few months before the winter rainy season starts so that they have time to establish healthy roots.

[@mdiazdiaz5612]

I like that, good job i will try doing the same thing

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

Mdiaz Diaz, Thank you for watching!

[@2509baller]

Can you do an update of your two avocado trees planted in the 8ft diameter hole, it would be greatly appreciated, I would like to see the progress made.

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

Hi 2509baller, Thank you for watching and for your comment! I plan to create another full garden tour in early June, and then the avocado hill update 2 years after planting. By the way, you can check my other videos in this channel. The avocado hill is featured in almost all of them.

[@ulrichtjinliepshie20]

Looks like a pool not hole

[@dipeshlama5924]

So much effort just to plant a tree 😂 in my country we eat throw the seed in backyard 1 yr walla a 🌱

[@devbachu7072]

What's the distance from each trees

[@ThaDiscoFreak]

Hi thanks you for your video your setup makes perfect sense I will be using it soon as my hass tree recovers (if it recovers) any ideas for root rot, as my tree is not getting water to the branches now, its 3 years old, leaves have turned brown, stem still green now just wondering if you have any ideas how to save it, or make it grow new roots any help would be appreciated. Thanks you from the other side of the world australia

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

Tony D, Thank you for watching! I assume your Hass avocado tree is planted in ground. Root rot pathogen is often present in the ground in small amount, and if the soil is not well draining, it will attack the roots. I found that Garden Phos ( www.montereylawngarden.com/product/monterey-garden-phos/ ) helps avocado trees fight root rot. If there are good leaves on the tree, it can be used as a foliar spray. If the leaves are small or falling, Garden Phos can be applied as basal trunk spray. The boost of phosphorous helsp the tree to kill root rot and start growing new roots. If it doesn't help and the tree dies, don't plant another avocado tree in the same hole as the root rot pathogen can leave in soil for several years. Good luck with your avocado tree!

[@ThaDiscoFreak]

@@SubtropicalFruitGarden thank you for your prompt reply, much appreciated, will give that Phos a shot

[@myzungnguyennguyen5102]

I really am respect for your planning tree ( avocado), recently I just purchased 4 feet avocado with 4 big fruits ...from nice nursery in San Diego 8/14/2020. For 4 days in ground it looks nicely with new leaves coming out, then day 5th the tree suddenly only 1 day... leaves 60% changed brown... I think I do rightly for avocado tree's needs. If you give me advices. Thanks

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

Myzungnguyen Nguyen, Thank you! With the heat wave we have been having for the last week, it is likely that your young avocado tree cannot absorb enough water it needs. If the tree is in direct sunlight, I would add a shade cloth above it. I would also remove all fruit from the tree so that the tree's energy is concentrated on growth and establishing roots.

[@MrRonin1234]

WoW the person who referred me to this video was correct. This is the MOST expensive avocado planting ever. I don't want to put u down in any way or form.. But this is just NOT the way to go.. Yes this methods works! However If ur spending $1000 dollars worth on "soil mix" then I recommend U instead water in and then dig ur soil a bit. Add fast Acting Garden gypsum. Water it in. Wait a few weeks then dig deeper add Sharp Sand and pumice rock organic material (u don't actually need a ton of it mix it all in and Puff ur done.. And save u self 80-90 Percentage of the amount u spent on this soil Mix and Just buy a 36 inch Boxed specimen tree that is almost mature for $500 dollars.. Said tree will be 12 feet tall in 2 years and be able to produce full crops after that . Once the tree is that old they don't die as easily from being in clay soils..

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

Mr.noone1, thank you for the comment! The planting method shown in this video is used for commercial orchards here in California (see attached links in the description above). I assume this is one of the most cost-efficient ways to plant avocado trees here. Your method might work for some soils. In summary, it uses the same ingredients (sand and pumice), but in smaller quantities. Also in your method the tree is not elevated above the ground. If I followed your method and spend a lot of money on a single mature avocado tree, it would most likely rot in my backyard because it would sit in a pot of clay. I would rather invest in improving soil in an area of my backyard and planting several avocado trees there.

[@veganchiefwarrior6444]

i think clay doesnt rot roots, just when organic matter is mixed in as its a home for fungi, i thought i should plant above grade and it doesnt work for bananas unless they on drip irigation, planting at grade is key @@SubtropicalFruitGarden

[@richardmang2558]

I am not familiar with the your trap that caught the mole at about 6:00 . What type and name of trap is it? I am under massive constant invasion of gophers and am always looking for new and better ways to protect my garden from their immense destructive ability. I have also had minor issues with moles and voles. I live in San Diego county where gophers cause milliions of dollars of damage each year to agriculture, lawns, building foundations, roadways and medical bills for twisted ankles on humans and animals. Don't think gophers are a harmless little pest. Good for you for being diligent about eliminating all gophers.

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

Hi Richard, I entirely agree with you. The trap in my video is called GopherHawk. It works very well, but doesn't last very long. It has thin metal springs that can rust and break easily. GopherHawk trap lasts only about half a season for me. The best tap I found so far is Cinch Gopher Trap. It works great and is still in good working condition after 2 seasons.

[@kagepunk]

Just a questions, about the drainage hole. If it wasn't sand underneath that 3+ foot of clay. What would be the solution? How would you have build a french drain as the UC SD article instructed?

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

Great question! There are several methods to build a French drain. Depending on the slope of the land surface, I would try the following methods. 1. If slope is noticeable (several degrees), I would dig a trench starting from the bottom of planting hole (about 1 foot deep) downhill while maintaining constant elevation (zero slope). The trench would go from 1 foot deep to surface level some 10 feet or more away from the planting hole. The trench could be filled with a perforated pipe and some 1 inch rocks. 2. If the slope is small, I would try to prevent water runoff into the planting hole. I would dig a shallow trench around the planting hole and fill it with a perforated pipe and some rocks. This way, the water running on the surface of the land should enter the trench on one uphill side of the planting hole and exit the trench on the downhill half. Of course, the water falling directly on the area of the planting hole will remain there. However, this should not be an issue unless you get many inches of rain at a time. 3. If there is no slope at all, or method 2 above is not acceptable, I would excavate a large and deep hole for water collection somewhere not too far from the planting hole. I would reinforce the walls of the deep hole with some edging material and fill the hole with some porous material. Then I would dig a trench from the bottom of the planting hole to the water collecting hole and fill the trench with a perforated pipe and some 1 inch rocks. The last method is close a standard French drain, but it requires more work. Thank you for watching!

[@kagepunk]

Thank for your insight! unfortunately I will have to try method 3. My area average about 20 inches of rain per year. Hopefully I wouldn't have to dig a really large hole for water collection.

[@TMOWLAVI]

too close to each other

[@pattychan818]

I was thinking the same thing. Tap root is about 3 feet long. The mound looks like under 3 feet. Not sure if the tree will have longevity.

[@user-vu8xn7ld6m]

Your wrong ooops!

[@lemontea128]

Actually it’s not when doing high density gardening. He’ll just have to keep it pruned.

[@luisvaldez8597]

What is the product you used for the edge.

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

Luis Valdez, Thank you for watching! I used 5-inch Terrace Board Landscape Edging.

[@alos2099]

You made all that effort to prepare the soil and you panted them so close! In 2 years they ll be "locked"into each other resulting in restricted growth, crop and uneven weight balance since you ll have to prune one side of each tree. Plus both varieties mature at similar times. It would have been better planting a Hass instead of Lamb Hass, as it matures earlier like feb-march and can carry its crop till late summer when Reed matures.

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

Hi alos2099. Thank you for your comment. Both Reed and Lamb Hass avocado trees are classified as Upright. I think it will be easy to keep them in check. On the other hand, Hass avocado tree is classified as Spreading. Hass trees like to grow wide and are not the best choice for backyard planting.

[@SenzuBeaner]

Can’t find a good deal on pumice. Can I replace it with Lava rock? Or vermiculite?

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

Yes, 1/4 inch lava rock or vermiculite will work. Vermiculite will retain more moisture than lava rock.

[@SenzuBeaner]

@@SubtropicalFruitGarden okay thanks bro! Looking forward to your next video! Did you covered your avocados or are they big enough to tolerate this winter? I move mine to the garage for a few days. Have you tasted any Texas avocados?

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

@@SenzuBeaner, at my place it doesn't get below freezing so I don't need to protect my avocados trees from cold. Because of this I have Guatemalan type avocados like Hass, Reed, etc. They take 18 months to grow and ripen on the tree. In places with colder winters you typically plant Mexican type avocados like Mexicola. They take only 9 months to grow and ripen on the tree. I haven't tasted Mexican type avocados yet. Good luck with your tree!

[@SenzuBeaner]

@@SubtropicalFruitGarden okay bro, I’ll follow your awesome tips on this video and hope for the best! 🙏🏻

[@onetwoone_1210]

why is there a white stem? did you paint it? or what ?

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

onetwoone _12, Thank you for watching! I painted young avocado tree branches with IV Organics Plant Guard. Young green branches can sunburn easily when temperatures are above 90F.

[@onetwoone_1210]

@@SubtropicalFruitGarden do you know what it's made of?I'm from Indonesia and can't find similar products in domestic online stores ....

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

@@onetwoone_1210, The label says Iron Oxide, Limestone, Mica, Milk, Silica. You can try this recipe for lime-based whitewash: www.organicgardener.com.au/articles/lime-based-whitewash

[@ericupchurch6167]

This is overkill. I'm sorry dude. I grew a avocado from seed in NC native dirt. I added some chicken shit from my ferral chickens. And laid a busted hose about 3ft from the trunk of the tree. I mean I haven't ate a store bought avocado in 4 years.

[@marselbicentennial5159]

May I have a list of amendments and products you used please?

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

Hi Marsel Upton, Thank you for watching and for your interest! Below is the list of amendments and products I used. - Quikrete All-Purpose Sand (washed coarse sand) - Uni-Gro Pumice - Coco Bliss Premuim Coconut Coir Pith - Peaceful Valley Organic Arctic Humus - Azomite Micronized - Ultra Fine AG Gypsum - E.B.Stone Soil Sulfur - E.B.Stone Citrus & Fruit Tree Food - G&B Organics Purely Compost

[@mykvass]

sound is pretty bad can you fix that ?

[@NaughtyGoatFarm]

How are the trees going now?

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

Hi Naughty Goat Farm, Thank you for watching and for your comment! The trees are doing great. I plan to create another full garden tour in June, and then the avocado hill update in July (2 years after planting). By the way, you can check my other videos in this channel. The avocado hill is featured in almost all of them.

[@apple-on5pq]

I wouldnt call that soil clay. I have true clay soil underneath my garden that are are orange in colour and so dense that no water can drain thru it.

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

Clay can appear in various colors from white to dull grey or brown to deep orange-red. The planting method described in this video applies to any clay.

[@reddyda]

The guy is talking too slow so I watched with a playback speed of 1.5

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

Thank you for watching! I hope you liked the video. The avocado trees are doing great. They have about a dozen of avocado fruit almost ready to be picked. Also a lot of tiny avocado fruit are forming for the next year's crop.

[@NMW80]

Lol same I watched in faster speed cos I’m impatient and busy.

[@NMW80]

Subtropical Fruit Garden glad your trees are doing great 👍

[@thebike64]

Wow this is an outstanding job. My tree is going to die

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

Thank you! I hope your tree does well.

[@rf4215]

cut the bottom out of container, place tree, cut sides off.

[@ayhanarikk]

Mannn why so much money and time spending for that. Find good soil and bring there with truck and mix it. Only thing you need to care about is draining the water

[@GregBarfuss]

Way to much work to plant a avocado tree 🌳 more like your making a pond.

[@veganchiefwarrior6444]

how can you love rabbits but kill gofers dam man lighten up a bit youve got the wire..

[@lindamjohnson4989]

Double bubble gum will kill a gopher

[@mariapesa8458]

Are you talking to yourself😁😁😁

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

Thank you for watching! This was my first video. I didn't know I needed a microphone 😆

[@chan_for]

nothing special. simple. cheap. practical

[@noahsolamillo7924]

YOUR VOICE YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN HEAR. YOUR VOICE IS VERY LOW. WE CANNOT HEAR YOUR VOICE.

[@SubtropicalFruitGarden]

Sorry about the low sound level in this video. After the first video I got a microphone. The sound in all of my other videos is OK.

[@aliciabruce3330]

speak up man!