How do I start an avocado tree from the pit? Mine NEVER grow!

Guacamole is a very tasty dish: one impossible to make without avocados; however, you can grow your own avocados starting right in your kitchen or any room with a spot for a glass of water and some sunlight.

Just think fresh avocados and it all began with that pit you removed from the last avocado you bought.

Who has not at least tried to get an avocado to grow?

There are two ways to grow an avocado from seed, one uses a glass of water and some toothpicks and the other involves a more traditional planting method and that is putting it into the soil.

Which method you choose may well be determined by why you are growing the avocado in the first place.

If you are looking for an interesting house plant and have a space inside that is ideal for it then the water and toothpick method may be all you need. If the plant gets what it needs it may even produce fruit but if not may just look good.

If the reason for planting is to grow the tree to produce avocados for your food supply; then you can still start it indoors with the glass and water or you can plant it straight into the soil.

It will take some time for your avocado seed to germinate so patience is essential. It can take up to ten years for the tree to bear fruit and it is possible that an indoor plant will not live that long; so do not get your hopes up about fresh avocados.

The seed pit or stone likes it hot and moist which is one of the reasons that using the glass with water method is popular.

Follow these instructions:

• pierce the seed with toothpicks and suspend it, pointed end up, over a glass of water. Roots should start to develop within two to six weeks. Then pot up the plant, leaving the tip just poking out of the soil. However, not all avocado seeds will germinate, so if your seed hasn't sprouted after six weeks, try again with a fresh seed
• leave the seed in direct sunlight until it starts to split. Then pot it up
• place the seed in a pot, and cover it completely. Water well, allow to drain and leave in a warm, dark place, such as an airing cupboard. Check on the pot every week to ensure it is moist, and water if necessary. As soon as the shoot starts to show, move the pot to a sunny spot, such as a windowsill.

Outdoors, the avocado tree enjoys a variety of soils but if given their preference they want a loose sandy loam with a pH level between 6 and 7. They need good drainage.

They are sun lovers but will grow in partial shade but may not bear fruit. The avocado has an extensive roots system so do not plant anything else too close.

One of the reasons the pit may not germinate is that the combination of heat and moisture is insufficient for germination to take place. A consolation is that if you love avocados and buy them regularly you will always have fresh seed to experiment with, so enjoy the process.