Avocado - Jim - winter ripening

Jim originated as a seedling from the original Bacon avocado tree, causing it to sometimes be named Jim Bacon. Jim produces fruit similar to Bacon, however with a higher oil content and a little more flavour. The ripening season is earlier than Bacon, giving it a nice carryover period between the Hass season finishing, and the winter varieties starting to ripen. The skin colour and thickness, or rather thinness, is similar to Bacon, however the shape is more necky, and in certain conditions (thought to be more sun exposure), the skin develops a red colouring/blush. The tree carries a similar cold tolerance to Bacon trees, making it one of the more cold hardy avocado varieties available.

• Type: Hybrid (Guatemalan X Mexican) 
• Flower Type: B
• Colour when ripe: Green, sometimes with a reddish hue
• Shape: Pear (pyriform)
• Fruit size: Medium-large (larger than Hass)
• Seed Size: Medium
• Fruit quality/taste: Good, more oil content than Bacon.

Jim is a B flowering type. Avocado trees in our climate are self fertile, but produce more fruit if 2 are planted near each other with opposing flower types. In this case, best planted near A types like Reed, Hass, Esther, Pinkerton, Mexicola or Mexicola Grande etc.

Avocado trees are generally easy to care for, but here are a few tips to help ensure your tree thrives:

1. Plant your tree in well-draining soil in a sunny location. Protect from wind and frost when young.

2. Water your tree regularly, but be careful not to over-water. Avocado trees prefer to be kept evenly moist, but not waterlogged. If planting in a clay soil, it is important to either create a mound, or build a raised planter box to plant your tree into. This helps keep the sensitive feeder roots out of the wet zone.

3. Fertilise your tree with a balanced fertiliser twice a year, once in the spring and once in the summer.

4. Prune your tree regularly to remove any dead or damaged branches, and to shape the tree to promote good fruit production.

5. Avocado trees love mulch! Mulching around your tree helps regulate moisture, keep weeds away, breaks down into food for the tree, and creates a very healthy balance of good bacteria and fungi, closer to their natural habitat.