🥑 ‘Bacon’ Avocado (Persea americana) — Cold-Tolerant Pollinator + Winter Harvest Champion 🌿
If you’re building a productive avocado system, not just planting a tree — ‘Bacon’ deserves a spot.
This California-born cultivar is known for its cold tolerance, winter fruiting window, and pollination power, making it one of the most valuable support trees in a multi-variety avocado orchard.
It’s not just about flavor — it’s about strategy, timing, and yield.
SHIPS AS A 3-GALLON GRAFTED TREE
🌟 Quick Facts Guide — ‘Bacon’ Avocado
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Persea americana ‘Bacon’ |
| Plant Type | Evergreen fruit tree (grafted) |
| Sale Size | 3-gallon container |
| Estimated Age | ~18–30 months |
| Mature Height (Unpruned) | 15–25 ft |
| Managed Height | 10–15 ft |
| USDA Zones | 9–11 |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun (6–8+ hrs) |
| Cold Hardiness | ~24°F (short duration) |
| Growth Habit | Upright, moderately vigorous |
| Spacing | 15–20 ft |
| Flower Type | Type B (critical pollinator) |
| Primary Role | Pollination + winter harvest |
🍐 Fruit & Harvest Details
| Trait | Description |
|---|---|
| Fruit Size | Medium (6–12 oz) |
| Skin | Smooth, thin, green |
| Flesh | Pale green |
| Texture | Creamy, slightly lighter than Hass |
| Flavor | Buttery, mild, subtly nutty |
| Oil Content | Moderate |
| Harvest Window (FL) | Nov–Jan (winter) |
| Ripening | Off-tree |
💡 ‘Bacon’ shines in its timing — producing when many other varieties are finished.
🌿 Why Grow ‘Bacon’?
- ❄️ Cold-tolerant avocado option
- 🌼 Type B pollinator (boosts entire orchard yield)
- 🥑 Winter fruit production
- 🌳 Reliable, consistent performer
- 🌿 Essential companion tree for Type A cultivars
- 🍽 Versatile culinary fruit
🌿 Origin & History
Developed by James Bacon in California in the 1950s, this cultivar was selected for:
- Cold resilience
- Reliable production
- Balanced flavor
It quickly became known as a “team player tree” — not just producing fruit, but helping entire orchards perform better.
🌴 Seasonal Growth Behavior (Florida & Zone 9)
- Spring: new growth flush
- Summer: canopy expansion
- Fall: fruit maturity begins
- Winter: primary harvest season
🌿 Evergreen tree — but may shed some leaves during stress or seasonal transitions.
🏡 Larger Sizes + Nursery-Only Availability
We carry ‘Bacon’ and other avocado cultivars in larger sizes:
- 7-gallon
- 15-gallon
- field-grown trees
🌿 Plus rare and rotating inventory not listed online, available only at our nursery.
📍 Where to Plant ‘Bacon’ Avocado
Best Location
- Full sun
- Well-drained soil
- Protected from strong winds
🌴 In Florida: plant on a 2–3 ft mound for drainage.
Avoid
- Standing water
- Heavy clay soils
- Deep shade
- Frost pockets
🌱 Transplanting Timing
- Shipped trees: wait ~30 days or until new growth appears
- Local pickup trees: can be planted immediately
🌱 GreenDreams “High & Tight” Method
1️⃣ Dig hole slightly wider than container
2️⃣ Plant slightly above grade
3️⃣ Keep graft exposed
4️⃣ Backfill and firm soil
5️⃣ Water deeply
6️⃣ Mulch (not touching trunk)
7️⃣ Add compost + minerals
🎥 https://youtu.be/RRQFY30qdA8?si=rRIcsbLlVAVYotfI
💧 Watering & Feeding Strategy
Container
- Daily watering during warm months
- Ensure fast drainage
In-Ground
- Establishment: frequent watering
- Mature: deep weekly watering
👉 Drip irrigation strongly recommended.
Fertilization
- Compost-based feeding
- Organic fruit tree fertilizers
- Apply during active growth
✂️ Pruning Strategy
- Maintain 10–15 ft height
- Improve airflow and light penetration
- Remove crossing branches
- Prune post-harvest or pre-spring
🪴 Container Growing
‘Bacon’ can be grown in containers short-term.
Container System
- 15–25 gallon minimum
- Fast-draining soil mix
- Annual pruning required
🌱 Potting Progression Guide
4” → 1 gallon → 3 gallon → 7 gallon → 15+ gallon
Transplant when:
- Roots circle pot
- Water drains too quickly
- Growth slows
Search locally for:
- nursery containers
- fruit tree potting soil
- drainage amendments
🥑 Culinary Uses
- Guacamole
- Sandwiches
- Salads
- Smooth spreads
- Everyday avocado use
💡 Lower oil = lighter, more versatile for frequent consumption.
🌾 Orchard Strategy (THIS IS KEY)
‘Bacon’ is not just a fruit tree — it’s a pollination engine.
Pair with Type A varieties:
- Mexicola
- Day
- Lula
- Florida Hass
👉 Plant within 20–30 ft for best results.
🌼 Companion Plant Guild
Nitrogen Fixers
Pigeon Pea • Sunn Hemp • Perennial Peanut
Pollinator Plants
Firebush • Porterweed • Basil
Biomass Plants
Mexican Sunflower • Lemongrass
🔍 Troubleshooting Guide — ‘Bacon’
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Low fruit set | No Type A nearby | Add pollinator pair |
| Yellow leaves | Poor drainage | Improve soil |
| Root rot | Overwatering | Reduce moisture |
| Leaf burn | Cold stress | Protect tree |
| Weak growth | Low nutrients | Organic feeding |
🌿 Avocado Comparison Guide
| Cultivar | Type | Cold Tolerance | Harvest | Size | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fantastic | A | ~15°F | Summer | Small | Cold hardy |
| Mexicola | A | ~18°F | Summer | Medium | Edible skin |
| Brogdon | B | ~22°F | Summer | Medium | Purple |
| Day | A | ~24°F | Early | Compact | Early |
| Bacon | B | ~24°F | Winter | Medium | Pollinator |
| Lula | A | ~25°F | Fall | Large | Heritage |
| Monroe | B | ~26°F | Winter | Large | Late |
🌎 Regional Recommendations
🧊 Cooler zones: Bacon • Brogdon • Mexicola
🌞 Warm zones: Lula • Monroe • Choquette
🌿 Orchard systems: Bacon (essential)
🌟 Is This Plant For Me?
Ideal For
- Orchard builders
- Pollination planning
- Winter harvest growers
- Moderate climate gardeners
Not Ideal For
- High-oil Hass-only preference
- Poor drainage soils
- Very cold climates below ~24°F
❓ FAQ
Is ‘Bacon’ a good eating avocado?
Yes — milder than Hass, but creamy and versatile.
Do I need this if I already have avocados?
If you want better yields — absolutely.
Is this mainly a pollinator?
It’s BOTH — fruit + productivity booster.
🚚 Shipping Notes
- Ships Mondays via UPS Ground
- Best for FL, Southeast, Texas
⚠️ Buyer assumes risk in extreme weather
⚠️ Longer transit = more stress for smaller plants
🏡 Local Pickup
We carry larger trees and exclusive varieties not listed online
GreenDreams Nursery & Farm
🌾 18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL
🕘 Tues–Fri 9–5 | 🌞 Sat 8–3
🌿 Beyond the Plant: GreenDreams Services
We design, build, and restore ecosystems across Florida.
- 🌳 Consultations
- 🚜 Installation
- 🚚 Bulk materials
- 🌾 Regenerative systems
🌿 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:
-
Florida: 1–2 days
-
Southern U.S.: approximately 2 days
-
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:
-
Monitoring tracking information sent via email
-
Retrieving packages promptly upon delivery
-
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
-
Carrier delays
-
Poor plant selection for a given climate or region
-
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.
