This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Florida avocados are typically ready to pick from June through September, but the exact timing depends on the variety and your local climate.
As a Florida gardener, you might be staring at a tree full of green fruit and wondering if it’s time to harvest.
Knowing when are Florida avocados ready to pick can save you from bitter, disappointing fruit or the frustration of waiting too long.
In this post, we’ll break down the signs that Florida avocados are ready to pick, the best harvesting techniques, and how to ripen them perfectly at home.
Let’s dig into the details so you can enjoy the creamiest, most delicious avocados from your own backyard.
When Are Florida Avocados Ready to Pick: Key Timing Factors
The answer to when are Florida avocados ready to pick isn’t a single date on the calendar.
Florida avocados are ready to pick when they’ve reached maturity on the tree, which typically happens around 6 to 8 months after flowering.
Unlike Hass avocados from California, Florida varieties like ‘Choquette’, ‘Lula’, and ‘Monroe’ have a longer growing season and lower oil content.
The most reliable way to know Florida avocados are ready to pick is to check the fruit’s size, color, and the time since bloom.
Let’s explore each of these signals so you can confidently harvest at the perfect moment.
1. Track the Calendar Months
Most Florida avocado varieties are ready to pick between June and September, with some extending into October.
If you planted a specific cultivar, check the typical harvest window for that variety because early, mid, and late-season types all differ.
For example, ‘Brogdon’ avocados are often ready to pick in June, while ‘Monroe’ may not be ready until September.
When are Florida avocados ready to pick in your area? Look up your local extension service’s variety chart for precise months.
2. Measure the Fruit Size
Avocados don’t ripen on the tree, they only mature, so size is a great indicator that Florida avocados are ready to pick.
Each variety has a mature size range, like ‘Choquette’ reaching 16 to 32 ounces, while ‘Lula’ is smaller at 10 to 18 ounces.
If the fruit has stopped growing and looks full and plump, that’s a strong sign it’s approaching readiness.
You can also cut one open as a test sample; if the flesh is firm but has a faint avocado scent and the seed coat is brown, it’s likely mature.
3. Watch for Color Changes
Color is trickier for Florida avocados because most stay green even when ready to pick.
Unlike Hass which turns dark purple, many Florida varieties remain bright green at maturity.
However, you might notice a slight dulling of the skin’s shine or tiny brown specks appearing.
A subtle yellowing or a change from glossy to matte can indicate Florida avocados are ready to pick.
4. Use the Sample Fruit Method
The most foolproof approach to knowing when are Florida avocados ready to pick is cutting a couple of test fruits.
Pick one avocado, bring it inside, and let it sit on the counter for 3 to 7 days to soften.
If it softens evenly without shriveling and tastes rich and nutty, the rest of the crop is ready to harvest.
If the fruit stays hard or rots instead of ripening, give the tree another week or two.
How to Properly Harvest Florida Avocados
Once you’ve confirmed Florida avocados are ready to pick, harvesting them correctly will prevent damage to the tree and the fruit.
Never pull avocados off the branch with your hands because this can tear the stem and invite disease.
Instead, use sharp pruning shears to clip the stem about 1 to 2 inches above the fruit.
Leave that short stem attached; it helps reduce moisture loss and extends the avocado’s shelf life.
When picking high fruit, use a pole picker or an extendable fruit harvester for safety and precision.
1. Harvest in the Morning
For the best quality, pick Florida avocados early in the day when temperatures are cooler.
Heat stress at midday can cause the fruit to soften too quickly after harvest.
Morning harvesting also gives you time to move the avocados out of direct sun immediately.
2. Handle With Care
Florida avocados have thin skins, making them prone to bruising.
Place harvested fruits gently into a padded bucket or a basket lined with soft cloth.
Don’t stack them too deep; even moderate pressure can create brown spots inside the flesh.
Treat each avocado like an egg to maximize quality.
Ripening Florida Avocados After Picking
This is the key point: when are Florida avocados ready to pick, they’re still firm and not yet edible.
Avocados are climacteric fruits, meaning they ripen after being harvested through ethylene gas production.
After you pick them, place the avocados at room temperature in a single layer to ripen naturally.
This process typically takes 3 to 7 days, depending on the room’s warmth and the fruit’s maturity stage.
1. Speed Up Ripening With a Paper Bag
If you’re impatient, seal the Florida avocados in a brown paper bag with a ripe banana or apple.
The companion fruit releases extra ethylene gas, which accelerates softening dramatically.
Check the bag daily because ripe avocados stay good for only a couple of days before turning mushy.
2. Store Ripe Avocados in the Fridge
Once an avocado yields to gentle palm pressure, move it to the refrigerator to halt further ripening.
A ripe Florida avocado can stay fresh in the fridge for up to a week, so you can enjoy them gradually.
You can also scoop and freeze the flesh for smoothies or dips later.
3. Common Mistakes That Ruin Harvested Avocados
One mistake is picking too early, long before Florida avocados are ready to pick, because they’ll never ripen properly.
Another error is leaving picked avocados in direct sunlight, which causes uneven softening and off-flavors.
Don’t wash the avocados until you’re ready to eat them because moisture invites mold during storage.
So, When Are Florida Avocados Ready to Pick in Your Yard?
Florida avocados are ready to pick when the fruit reaches full size, shows subtle color changes, and passes the sample test.
The ideal window varies by variety and microclimate, but summer is generally prime time across the state.
Once you’ve confirmed the fruit is mature, harvest carefully in the morning and let it ripen indoors at room temperature.
By paying attention to these signs of when are Florida avocados ready to pick, you’ll never miss the perfect harvest moment again.
Keep a close eye on your tree for a few weeks, and soon you’ll be slicing into the creamiest, most rewarding avocados you’ve ever grown.
Now you’re ready to enjoy the fruits of your labor with confidence and delicious recipes.