🥑 ‘Day’ Avocado (Persea americana) — Early Harvest + Compact Habit + Florida-Friendly Classic 🌿
If you want avocados early, reliably, and without managing a giant tree, ‘Day’ is a home-orchard hero. This Florida-proven cultivar is loved for its early summer harvest, manageable size, and consistent production—a smart choice for small yards, mixed orchards, and growers who want fruit before the heat of late summer hits.
SHIPS AS A 3-GALLON GRAFTED TREE
🌟 Quick Facts Guide
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Persea americana, ‘Day’ |
| Plant Type | Evergreen fruit tree (grafted cultivar) |
| Sale Size | 3-gallon container |
| Estimated Age (3-gal) | Typically ~18–30 months from graft (season + growth rate dependent) |
| Mature Size | 12–18 ft typical; can be maintained 10–15 ft with pruning |
| USDA Zones | 9–11 best; 8b/9a with protection + favorable microclimate |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun (6–8+ hrs daily) |
| Cold Hardiness | Often tolerates mid-20s°F when mature (young trees need protection) |
| Growth Habit | Compact to medium vigor; upright-spreading; evergreen |
| Spacing Requirements | 12–18 ft in-ground when pruned |
| Flower Type | Type A (self-fertile; higher yields with a Type-B nearby) |
| Best Feature | Early harvest + compact, pickable canopy |
🍐 Fruit & Harvest Details
What the fruit is like 🥑
- Appearance: Green skin; medium fruit size—clean, classic Florida look
- Flavor & Texture: Mild-to-buttery, smooth, low fiber; excellent everyday avocado
- Yield & Habit: Consistent producer for its size; fruit size improves as tree matures
- Handling note: Harvest gently; allow fruit to ripen indoors
Harvest window (typical)
Early season is the headline feature.
| Region | Common Harvest Window |
|---|---|
| Florida (Central/South) | May–July (often among the first to ripen) |
| Texas / Warm Gulf | Early summer |
| California (mild areas) | Spring–early summer potential |
✅ Pro harvesting tip: Avocados do not ripen on the tree. Pick mature fruit and ripen indoors.
🌿 Why Grow ‘Day’?
- Early avocado season: Enjoy fruit while others are still waiting
- Compact habit: Easier to prune, easier to harvest
- Reliable producer: Great for consistent home use
- Type A pollinator: Pairs perfectly with Type-B cultivars (e.g., ‘Brogdon’, ‘Monroe’)
- Edible landscape value: Evergreen canopy with a tidy footprint
🌿 Origin & Name Story
‘Day’ is a long-standing Florida selection valued for doing exactly what growers want most: fruit early, stay manageable, and produce dependably. It’s often chosen as the “first avocado” in a multi-variety plan.
🏡 ALSO AVAILABLE IN LARGER SIZES + PICKUP-ONLY OPTIONS
We carry ‘Day’ and many other avocado cultivars at our Spring Hill nursery—often including larger container sizes that establish faster and can fruit sooner (seasonal availability).
Larger sizes may include (pickup-only):
- 7-gallon
- 15-gallon
- Specimen / landscape-ready trees
🌿 Our retail nursery also carries countless plants not listed online, including limited and seasonal inventory available only for local pickup.
📍 Where to Plant ‘Day’ Avocado
Best location (Florida + Gulf Coast optimized)
- Full sun
- Fast-draining soil
- Good airflow (helps in humid climates)
✅ In Florida and humid regions: plant on a 2–3 ft mound to improve root oxygen and reduce root-rot risk.
Avoid
- Standing water, low spots, heavy clay without drainage improvements
- Deep shade
- Overhead watering that keeps foliage wet
Wind + salt notes
- Wind: Compact size helps; stake young trees if they rock during storms.
- Salt: Avocados are salt sensitive—avoid salty irrigation and direct coastal spray.
🌱 IMPORTANT: Let Your Tree Recover Before Transplanting
After delivery or pickup, keep your ‘Day’ Avocado in its container and wait ~30 days or until fresh new growth appears before transplanting.
🌱 GreenDreams “High & Tight” Planting Method (Best for Avocados)
Avocado roots need oxygen—planting too deep is the #1 killer.
- Dig a hole slightly wider than the container and no deeper than the root ball
- Set the root flare at or slightly above soil level
- Backfill with native soil and pack firmly
- Water deeply to settle
- Apply 2–4 inches of mulch around the drip line—keep mulch off the trunk
- Top dress with compost + biochar + azomite
▶️ Watch: GreenDreams “High & Tight” Tree Planting Tutorial
https://youtu.be/RRQFY30qdA8?si=rRIcsbLlVAVYotfI
💧 Watering, Feeding & Pruning (Florida-Friendly)
Watering
In a pot (3-gal):
- Expect daily watering in warm or windy weather
After planting in-ground:
- Week 1: daily
- Weeks 2–4: every 2–3 days
- After month 1: deep weekly watering (adjust for rainfall)
✅ Drip irrigation is preferred over overhead spray.
Fertilizing
- Use light, frequent organic feeding
- Focus on soil biology: compost, mulch, minerals
- Avoid heavy synthetic fertilizers
Pruning ✂️
- Maintain 10–15 ft for easy harvest
- Tip-prune to encourage lateral branching
- Remove crossing branches and open the canopy for airflow
- Prune lightly after harvest
Winter care (8b/9a)
- Water before cold events
- Mulch roots (keep off trunk)
- Frost cloth + wind protection for young trees
🍃 Seasonal Habits (Florida + Similar Climates)
- Spring: bloom + new flush
- Early Summer: harvest window opens
- Late Summer: recovery + canopy growth
- Fall/Winter: slowed growth; protect from cold snaps
🪴 Container Growing (Excellent Option)
‘Day’ performs well in containers due to its compact habit.
Recommended long-term container: 15–25 gallon
Soil blend: compost + pine bark fines + coarse sand
Sun: full sun outdoors
Maintenance: regular watering + light pruning
When to up-pot
- When the pot dries too quickly
- When roots circle or push from drainage holes
- Transplant during warm, active growth
🥑 Culinary Uses
- Early-season guacamole
- Avocado toast before summer peaks
- Salads & bowls for creamy balance
- Smoothies for healthy fats
🌾 Orchard & Layout Strategy
- Spacing: 12–18 ft when pruned
- Ideal as an early-season anchor paired with mid- and late-season cultivars
- Pair with a Type-B avocado within 20–30 ft for improved set
🌼 Companion Plant Sidebar (From GreenDreams Inventory)
Nitrogen fixers: Pigeon Pea, Perennial Peanut, Sunn Hemp
Pollinator magnets: Firebush, Porterweed, African Blue Basil
Aesthetic companions: Turmeric, Gingers, Fakahatchee Grass
🔍 Troubleshooting Guide — ‘Day’ Avocado
| 🔍 Issue | 🧠 Likely Cause | ✅ Organic Fix |
|---|---|---|
| 🍂 Yellowing leaves | Overwatering / poor drainage | Plant high; improve drainage |
| 🪲 Leaf speckling | Lace bug / mites | Organic soap or horticultural oil |
| ❄️ Cold scorch | Frost + wind | Mulch, frost cloth, wind protection |
| 🍃 Fruit drop | Low pollination | Add Type-B partner; boost pollinators |
| 💧 Root decline | Standing water | High & Tight planting + drip irrigation |
❓ FAQ
Is ‘Day’ avocado self-fertile?
Yes (Type A), but yields improve with a Type-B nearby.
How soon will it fruit?
Grafted trees often fruit in ~2–4 years with good care.
Can I keep it small?
Yes—many growers maintain 10–15 ft easily.
⚠️ Cautions
- Do not bury the trunk
- Avoid waterlogged soils and salty irrigation
- Young trees need frost protection
- Keep mulch off the trunk
🌟 Is This Plant For Me?
✅ Ideal for:
- Growers wanting early avocados
- Small yards and compact landscapes
- Container gardeners
- Anyone building a multi-season avocado plan
❌ Not ideal for:
- Wet sites without drainage improvements
- Areas below Zone 8b without protection
🌿 Choose the Right Avocado for Your Climate, Taste & Space
GreenDreams offers avocado cultivars for every growing situation — from cold-tolerant edge growers to compact patio trees and heavy-producing orchard selections.
Use this guide to compare cold tolerance, flavor, harvest season, and growth habit so you can build the right mix for your landscape or home orchard.
🌳 Avocado Cultivar Comparison Guide
| 🌳 Cultivar | 🔤 Type | ❄️ Cold Tolerance | 🍽️ Flavor / Texture | 🗓️ Harvest Window (FL) | 📏 Growth Habit | 🌟 Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🟣 Brogdon | Type B | 🧊 ~22°F | 🥑 Nutty, creamy | Jul–Sep | 🌳 20–25 ft | Purple skin, cold-hardy Florida heirloom |
| 🌿 Day | Type A | ❄️ ~24°F | 🧈 Mild, buttery | May–Jul | 🌿 12–18 ft | Compact, early harvest, great for containers |
| ⚫ Mexicola | Type A | 🧊 ~18°F | 🌰 High-oil, edible skin | Aug–Sep | 🌳 10–15 ft | Most cold-hardy; edible black skin |
| 🟢 Lula | Type A | ❄️ ~26°F | 🧈 Buttery, high-oil | Nov–Jan | 🌳 25–30 ft | Late-season, excellent pollinator |
| 💚 Monroe | Type B | ❄️ ~26°F | 🥑 Creamy, mild | Nov–Feb | 🌲 30+ ft | Vigorous, late harvest, heavy yield |
| 💧 Choquette | Type A | ❄️ ~28°F | 🥗 Mild, smooth | Oct–Dec | 🌲 30+ ft | Very large fruit, great for slicing |
| 🖤 Florida Hass | Type A | ❄️ ~25°F | 🥑 Classic Hass-style | Sep–Nov | 🌳 Medium | Hass look adapted to Florida |
| 🌱 Wurtz (Little Cado) | Type A | ❄️ ~26°F | 🧈 Creamy, mild | May–Sep | 🌿 8–10 ft | Dwarf, container-friendly |
| 🟤 Joey | Type B | 🧊 15–18°F | 🌰 Rich, nutty | Aug–Oct | 🌳 Compact | Ultra-cold-hardy Texas selection |
| 🟡 Fantastic | Type A | 🧊 ~15°F | 🧈 Smooth, buttery | Jul–Aug | 🌿 Small | Coldest-hardy known variety |
| 🟢 Brazos Belle | Type B | ❄️ ~20°F | 🥑 Rich, nutty | Aug–Oct | 🌳 Medium | Cold-hardy Texas cultivar |
| 🌴 Kampong | Type A | ❄️ ~28°F | 🍐 Mild, low-oil | Oct–Dec | 🌲 Vigorous | Rare tropical collector’s tree |
| 🌞 Catalina | Type A | ❄️ ~26°F | 🧈 Light, buttery | Jul–Aug | 🌳 Medium | Early-season Cuban classic |
| 🌿 Donnie | Type A | ❄️ ~28°F | 🥗 Mild, light | May–Jun | 🌲 Large | Very early fruiter |
| 🟤 Bacon | Type B | ❄️ ~24°F | 🥑 Mild, pleasant | Nov–Jan | 🌳 Medium | Great winter pollinator |
| 🎃 Marcus Pumpkin | Type B | ❄️ ~24°F | 🧈 Creamy, mild | Nov–Feb | 🌳 Medium | Unique round fruit |
| ⚫ Maria Black | Type A | ❄️ ~25°F | 🥑 Creamy, rich | Aug–Oct | 🌳 Medium | Dark skin, balanced flavor |
| 🌿 Talpeno | Type B | 🧊 ~23°F | 🧈 Buttery, high-oil | Aug–Sep | 🌳 Medium | Cold-hardy hybrid |
| ❤️ Thompson Red | Type A | ❄️ ~26°F | 🌰 Nutty, smooth | Sep–Nov | 🌳 Medium | Red blush skin, ornamental |
| 💚 Victoria | Type A | ❄️ ~24°F | 🧈 Smooth, buttery | Jul–Sep | 🌳 Medium | Heat-tolerant, compact |
🌎 Regional Recommendations
🧊 Best for Cold Climates (Zones 8b–9a)
Brogdon • Mexicola • Day • Fantastic • Joey • Brazos Belle
🌞 Best for Warm & Tropical Zones (9b–11)
Lula • Monroe • Choquette • Marcus Pumpkin • Florida Hass • Kampong
🪴 Best for Containers & Small Spaces
Wurtz (Little Cado) • Day • Mexicola
🥑 Florida Harvest Calendar (At-a-Glance)
| 🗓️ Season | 🌾 Early | 🌿 Mid | 🍂 Late |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (May–Jun) | Donnie | – | – |
| Summer (Jul–Sep) | Day • Brogdon • Mexicola • Talpeno • Victoria | Florida Hass | – |
| Fall (Oct–Nov) | Maria Black • Choquette | Monroe | Thompson Red |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Lula • Marcus Pumpkin • Bacon | – | – |
🌱 Pollination Pairing Guide
| 🅰️ Type A Varieties | 🅱️ Type B Varieties | 🌼 Suggested Pairs |
|---|---|---|
| Day, Lula, Choquette, Florida Hass, Wurtz, Mexicola, Victoria | Brogdon, Monroe, Bacon, Talpeno, Marcus Pumpkin, Joey | Brogdon × Day / Monroe × Lula / Talpeno × Florida Hass |
✅ Tip: Plant one Type A and one Type B avocado within 20–30 ft to boost pollination and overall yield.
💚 Pro Tip from GreenDreams
Want fresh avocados for most of the year from your own yard?
Plant a trio:
- 🌱 Early: Day or Donnie
- 🥑 Mid: Brogdon or Florida Hass
- 🍂 Late: Monroe or Lula
With smart selection, Florida growers can harvest avocados 8+ months per year 🌿
🚚 Shipping & Handling
- Ships Mondays via UPS Ground from Florida
- Weather advisory: Buyer discretion during extreme heat/cold
- Best for shipping: Florida, Southeast & Texas (nationwide available with recovery time)
🏡 Local Pickup
GreenDreams Nursery & Farm
🌾 18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
🕘 Tues–Fri 9AM–5PM | 🌞 Sat 8AM–3PM
🌿 Visit us to explore larger avocado sizes and nursery-only plants not available online!
🌿 Beyond the Plant: GreenDreams Services
We don’t just sell trees—we design, build, and restore ecosystems across Florida.
- 🌳 Consultations & edible landscape design
- 🚜 Installation & project management
- 🚚 Bulk compost, mulch, biochar & soils
- 🌾 Wholesale & regenerative solutions
Let us help you build your edible paradise—starting with ‘Day’ Avocado! 🌿
🌿 IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS
Please note: Plants purchased through our online store are not available for pickup at our retail nursery in Spring Hill, Florida.
Online inventory is housed at a separate facility and is priced, prepared, and handled exclusively for shipping.
🌱 Looking for larger plants or more selection?
Our retail nursery location offers far more availability, including larger sizes, specialty plants, and many selections not suitable for nationwide shipping.
Local pickup is available for retail nursery purchases only.
Visit our Spring Hill, FL retail nursery page to explore in-person shopping options.
🚚 LIVE PLANT SHIPPING & TRANSIT EXPECTATIONS
Live plants naturally experience stress during shipping. Temporary leaf drop, mild wilting, or cosmetic stress is normal after transit. Most plants recover quickly with proper watering, gradual light exposure, and basic aftercare. Some plants may require additional attention during the first few weeks.
Despite careful packing, minor cosmetic damage may occur during transit. Small issues such as broken leaves or stems typically resolve with time and proper care.
If your shipping box arrives with significant external damage, please contact UPS within 30 days to initiate a carrier claim.
⏱️ SHIPPING METHOD, TIMING & TRANSIT WINDOWS
All online orders ship via UPS Ground from our Central Florida nursery.
📦 Shipping Schedule: Orders ship once weekly on Mondays to reduce the risk of packages sitting in transit over weekends. A countdown clock on our website displays the next shipping date.
🚚 Typical Transit Times:
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Florida: 1–2 days
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Southern U.S.: approximately 2 days
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Midwest, West & Northern U.S.: 3–5 business days
Long-distance shipments, particularly to the western U.S., may experience additional transit time due to agricultural inspections in states such as Arizona, California, and Texas.
Extended transit times can be more challenging for small or tender plants and may require additional recovery care after arrival.
🌡️ EXTREME WEATHER & SEASONAL RISK
Live plants are sensitive to temperature extremes.
We cannot guarantee plant condition during periods of extreme summer heat or winter cold and freezing temperatures. Weather-related delays, carrier interruptions, or exposure during delivery are beyond our control.
Customers are responsible for:
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Monitoring tracking information sent via email
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Retrieving packages promptly upon delivery
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Preventing plants from being left outdoors in extreme conditions
During unsafe weather, holiday shipping volume, or extended transit risk, orders may be held and shipped the following week to protect plant health.
⚠️ CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITY & REFUND POLICY
By purchasing live plants, customers acknowledge and accept the risks associated with shipping, weather exposure, transit delays, and regional suitability.
Refunds or replacements are considered only under exceptional circumstances and in accordance with our return and refund policy. We are not responsible for:
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Weather-related damage
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Carrier delays
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Poor plant selection for a given climate or region
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Improper care after delivery
Upon purchase, customers assume full responsibility for the ongoing care and success of their plants.
✅ CONSENT & AGREEMENT
By completing a purchase, you confirm that you have read, understand, and agree to all shipping policies, responsibilities, and conditions outlined above.
Our goal is transparency, plant health, and long-term growing success — and we appreciate your understanding and care when ordering live plants.
