Outlined below in the shaded areas are approximate times of key cultural/monitoring practices for avocado trees growing in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Optimal times vary according to location, weather, and crop development stage. Testing foliage and soil generally are done once during the indicated period. Practices such as cultivation, frost protection, irrigation, and pest monitoring are ongoing or are repeated at appropriate intervals.
| TIME OF YEAR | JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CROP DEVELOPMENT STAGE | ||||||||||||||
| older fruit development or presence | ||||||||||||||
| young fruit development | ||||||||||||||
| pollination and fruit set | ||||||||||||||
| pre-bloom and open flower | ||||||||||||||
| leaf flush | ||||||||||||||
| CULTURAL and MONITORING PRACTICES | ||||||||||||||
| irrigate regularly based on monitoring trees' need for water | ||||||||||||||
| monitor pests regularly | ||||||||||||||
| prune and thin where beneficial1 | ||||||||||||||
| protect against frost | ||||||||||||||
| place honey bee hives in groves | ||||||||||||||
| test soil nutrients, pH, etc. | ||||||||||||||
| measure and adjust irrigation output and uniformity | ||||||||||||||
| test irrigation water quality | ||||||||||||||
| harvest | ||||||||||||||
| cultivate weeds | ||||||||||||||
| fertilize if needed | ||||||||||||||
| sample foliar nutrients | ||||||||||||||
| test soil salinity | ||||||||||||||
| 1 | Major pruning period is Jan.-Apr., but minor pruning takes place year-round. |
Adapted from: CAC and CMCC. 2003. A Pest Management Strategic Plan for Avocado Production in California. Irvine, CA: California Avocado Commission and California Minor Crops Council.