Donnie Avocado
Persea americana ‘Donnie’
Donnie Avocado
Status: Active
Location: Front Yard Avocado Grove
Planted: 2026
Source: Lowe’s Garden Center
Tree ID: CR-AVO-004
Location:
Front Yard Avocado Planting
The Real Experiment
If the Brogdon and Mexican-type avocados represent careful planning, the Donnie represents curiosity.
While researching cold-hardy avocado varieties for North Florida, we repeatedly encountered the same recommendations. Brogdon. Mexicola. Winter Mexican. Varieties with proven cold tolerance and established track records.
The Donnie was something different.
Originally developed for South Florida, Donnie is not generally considered a cold-hardy avocado. It is grown primarily for its exceptionally large fruit, vigorous growth, and early production.
Which naturally led to a question:
What would happen if we planted one anyway?
Sometimes You Just Have to Try
Not every tree at Chesed Ranch is planted because it is expected to succeed although we are going to give it everything we can.
Some are planted because they help answer a question.
The Donnie was discovered at a local Lowe’s garden center and immediately stood out. At nearly five feet tall, it was significantly larger than many nursery trees and appeared healthy and vigorous.
Rather than passing it by because it wasn’t considered ideal for North Florida, we decided to give it a chance.
The result is one of the most interesting experiments currently underway on the property.
A Rough Introduction
The Donnie’s first weeks at Chesed Ranch were challenging.
Shortly after planting, the region experienced an extended period of heavy rainfall. The combination of transplant stress and saturated soil conditions created a difficult environment for a newly planted avocado.
As a result, the tree experienced noticeable transplant shock and showed signs of stress during establishment.
Fortunately, avocados can be surprisingly resilient, and the tree remains under close observation as it works through its adjustment period.
Whether it ultimately thrives or struggles, its performance will provide valuable insight into the practical limits of growing South Florida avocado varieties in North Florida conditions.
Quick Facts
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Avocado |
| Variety | Donnie |
| Avocado Race | West Indian |
| Cold Hardiness | Approximately 28–30°F |
| Harvest Season | May – July |
| Pollination Type | Type A |
| Fruit Size | Very Large |
| Flavor | Mild and Creamy |
| Growth Habit | Vigorous Evergreen Tree |
Why We Chose Donnie
The Donnie was planted because it represented an opportunity to test the boundaries of what might be possible.
While the cold-hardy avocados were selected because they are expected to survive North Florida winters, the Donnie was planted to see how a South Florida variety would perform under the same conditions.
Its large fruit, rapid growth, and reputation for early production made it an appealing candidate for experimentation.
Sometimes the most interesting trees in an orchard are the ones that aren’t supposed to be there.
Harvest Season Comparison
One of the reasons Donnie was selected is its unusually early harvest season.
While most cold-hardy avocados ripen in late summer, fall, or winter, Donnie is capable of producing fruit much earlier in the year. If successful, it could significantly extend the avocado harvest season at Chesed Ranch.
Rather than relying on a single variety with a short harvest window, our goal is to spread production across multiple months by growing avocados with different ripening periods.
*Harvest timing varies by location and seasonal conditions.
Together, these varieties have the potential to provide fresh avocados from late spring through early winter.
Tree Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Planting Date | 2026 |
| Initial Height | Approximately 5′ Feet’ |
| Source | Lowe’s Garden Center |
| Mulch Type | Arborist Wood Chip Mulch |
| Irrigation | Drip |
| Soil Type | Amended Clay-Sand Mix |
| Mycorrhizae Applied | Yes |
Annual Growth Log
2026
Planting Date
2026
Observations
- Purchased from Lowe’s Garden Center.
- One of the largest avocado trees planted on the property.
- Experienced transplant shock shortly after planting.
- Exposed to unusually heavy rainfall during establishment period.
- Currently being monitored for recovery and long-term adaptation.
Photos
(Insert planting photos)
2027
Winter Conditions
Lowest Temperature: TBD
Freeze Events: TBD
Bloom
TBD
Fruit Set
TBD
Harvest
TBD
Comments
TBD
Weather & Climate Summary
Season Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Lowest Temperature | TBD |
| Freeze Events | TBD |
| Rainfall | TBD |
| Growing Degree Days | TBD |
| Peak Summer Temperature | TBD |
Performance at Chesed Ranch
Strengths
- Exceptional vigor
- Very large fruit
- Early production potential
- Unique comparison against cold-hardy avocado varieties
Challenges
- Limited cold tolerance
- Establishment complicated by excessive rainfall
- Long-term survivability remains unknown
- Represents the highest-risk avocado planting on the property
Overall Assessment
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
The boldest avocado experiment at Chesed Ranch and a test of how far South Florida genetics can be pushed in North Florida.
Related Resources
UF/IFAS Publications
- Avocado Growing in Florida
- Cold Protection for Tropical Fruit Trees
- Home Fruit Production in Florida
Related Trees
- Brogdon Avocado
- Mexicola Avocado
- Winter Mexican Avocado