When Are Florida Avocados Ready To Pick

Florida avocados are ready to pick when they reach maturity on the tree, and the best way to tell is by their color and size, not by how soft they feel.
 
Unlike many other avocado varieties that ripen on the branch, Florida avocados stay hard and green until after you harvest them.
 
So when are Florida avocados ready to pick?
 
The short answer is that you should pick them once they’ve stopped growing and their skin has changed to a lighter, more uniform green shade.
 
If you’ve been scratching your head wondering when are Florida avocados ready to pick, I’m here to help you nail the timing every single time.
 
In this post, we’ll dig into the signs that tell you Florida avocados are ready to pick, how the season affects your harvest, and what to do after you bring them inside.
 
Let’s get into it.
 

When Florida Avocados Are Ready To Pick: Key Signs

The truth is that Florida avocados are ready to pick when they’ve reached full size and their skin has lost that glossy, dark glossiness.
 
You won’t wait for them to soften on the tree because they simply won’t.
 
Here’s what you need to look for so you know when Florida avocados are ready to pick in your own yard.
 

1. Check the Skin Color Change

One of the most reliable clues that Florida avocados are ready to pick is a noticeable color shift on the skin.
 
Immature Florida avocados usually have a very dark, almost shiny green appearance.
 
When they’re mature and close to being ready to pick, that skin will start to look dull, lighter green, and sometimes even slightly yellow-green.
 
This color change signals that the fruit has stopped accumulating oils and is now fully developed inside.
 
If you still see that high gloss and deep green hue, give them more time on the tree, because Florida avocados are not ready to pick yet.
 

2. Measure the Size and Weight

Florida avocados are known for being large, often weighing anywhere from one to three pounds depending on the specific variety.
 
When you’re asking when are Florida avocados ready to pick, size is a huge giveaway.
 
Once the fruit stops growing larger over a week or two, that’s a strong sign that Florida avocados are ready to pick.
 
Pick one up and feel its weight, because a mature avocado will feel heavy for its size, indicating the flesh has filled out completely.
 
If it feels light and almost hollow inside, it hasn’t developed enough and definitely isn’t ready to pick.
 

3. Use the Stem Test as a Backup

While Florida avocados are ready to pick before they soften, the stem test can still give you a clue about maturity.
 
Gently pull on the small stem at the top of the fruit.
 
If Florida avocados are ready to pick, the stem will pop off with just a little pressure and reveal a green layer underneath.
 
If the stem resists or comes off with difficulty, and the area underneath looks brown or dry, the avocado is still immature.
 
This test isn’t as foolproof as color and size, but it’s a handy extra check when you’re unsure when Florida avocados are ready to pick.
 

4. Track the Calendar from Bloom to Harvest

Another way to know Florida avocados are ready to pick is to count the months from when the tree flowered.
 
Most Florida avocado varieties mature anywhere from six to nine months after bloom time.
 
For example, if your tree bloomed in early spring, you can start checking for maturity in late summer or early fall.
 
The main Florida avocado season typically runs from June through January, so you can expect Florida avocados to be ready to pick during those warmer months.
 
Still, because different varieties mature at different speeds, you can’t rely on the calendar alone, so combine this with the physical signs above.
 

How to Properly Harvest Florida Avocados When Ready To Pick

Once you’ve determined that Florida avocados are ready to pick, you’ll want to harvest them carefully to avoid bruising the fruit or damaging the tree.
 
Reaching up and twisting the avocado off with your hands can tear the branch and hurt next year’s crop.
 
Instead, use a pair of clean pruning shears or a long-handled fruit picker to snip the stem a couple of inches above the fruit.
 
Leave a short piece of stem attached to the avocado when you pick it, because that helps prevent rot and keeps the fruit fresher for longer.
 
Be gentle as you lower each one into your basket, since Florida avocados are ready to pick but they’re still firm and can bruise easily if dropped.
 
Also, try to harvest on a dry day when the tree isn’t wet, because moisture can invite fungi into the cuts you make.
 

What to Do After Florida Avocados Are Ready To Pick

So you’ve figured out when Florida avocados are ready to pick, and you’ve brought them inside, now what?
 
Remember that Florida avocados are ready to pick while still hard, so they need a ripening period off the tree.
 
Place your harvested avocados in a single layer on your kitchen counter at room temperature, out of direct sunlight.
 
Within five to seven days, they’ll start to soften, and the skin may darken slightly as they ripen.
 
If you want to speed up the process, pop them in a brown paper bag with a banana or apple to boost ethylene gas around them.
 
Once they give slightly to gentle palm pressure, they’re ready to eat, so move any extras to the fridge to slow down further ripening.
 
You can also freeze Florida avocado flesh by mashing it with a little lime juice, then storing it in airtight containers for smoothies and dips later.
 

So, When Are Florida Avocados Ready To Pick?

Florida avocados are ready to pick when they’ve reached full size, lost their glossy shine, and turned a lighter shade of green.
 
You don’t wait for softness on the tree because these avocados only ripen after harvest.
 
By checking the skin color, measuring the size, using the stem test, and tracking your bloom calendar, you’ll confidently know when Florida avocados are ready to pick every season.
 
Once you bring them inside, just let them ripen at room temperature and you’ll enjoy creamy, buttery goodness in no time.