caring for fruit trees,” he advises. “The others are planting too deeply and overfertilizing.”
Parks pursued growing fruit trees as a hobby after he retired and now shares his bounty with more than 200 mem- bers of his club, including DeNardis. He has 250 trees on his 1.5-acre homesite, including 10 species of avocados. The two best things about growing fruit, says Parks, are eating it and the minimal ef- fort it takes to cultivate.
“It’s a shame more people don’t grow tropical fruit,” DeNardis muses. “It may not look as pretty as what you see in the store, but you don’t have to worry about harsh chemicals, and the taste is so much better.”
Avocados come in a wide assort- ment of shapes, with flesh that ranges from bright yellow and yellow-green to pale yellow. The peel of most varieties stays green when ripe, but some may be red or purple.
DeNardis notes that avocados will not ripen on the tree, but three to four days after being picked. Florida avoca- dos ripen best at 60 to 75 degrees; at warmer temperatures, they can ripen unevenly and develop an off-flavor. Ripe avocados will yield slightly to gentle pressure; if a soft touch leaves a dent, the fruit is overripe.
To serve an avocado, cut length- wise around the seed, turning the halves in opposite directions to sepa- rate them. Gently remove the seed with a finger or spoon, and then peel off the skin. Avocados quickly discolor when cut and exposed to air, but sprinkling the cut surface with lime or lemon juice can reduce the browning.
Although best known as the main ingredient in guacamole, avocados are also a healthy addition to any meal. Their versatility extends from dips, salads and soups to sandwiches, main dishes and even breakfast.
DeNardis, for one, adds the fruit to his cereal each morning. “Every- one should do this,” he says. “There’s nothing better than enjoying fresh fruit year-round, all from your own yard.”
For more information or to make an appointment to visit Frank DeNardis’s nursery, located at 108 Viking Way, in Naples, call 239-597-8359.
natural awakenings December 2010 27
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