Grow Your Own Mangos
In honor of National Mango Day, make plans now to grow your own mangos! Choose the best variety for your property and location and the ideal planting site. Follow our planting tips to set your mango tree up for success.
Although July is too hot to plant any mango trees right now, it’s the perfect time to make plans to do so – after all, National Mango Day is July 22nd! Identify a reliable local nursery and start pondering variety and placement. In the future, you can celebrate National Mango Day with your own fruits!
Where to Grow Mangos in Florida
Mangos love the heat and so, naturally, they do well in South Florida, especially along the southwestern and southeastern coasts. They can be cultivated as far north as Merritt Island, provided they have enough protection, and near Lake Okeechobee’s southern coast.
You’re not totally out of luck if you’re in North Florida, but you must be vigilant when it comes to the cold. Mango trees, flowers, and fruits may suffer damage or even die if they’re exposed to freezing or very cold temperatures for more than a couple hours. They should be container-grown and moved indoors when temperatures drop.
Our Favorite Mango Varieties
When at least 500 mango varieties (possibly more!) grow around the world, it’s hard to choose a variety for your home garden! We recommend starting with one that’s commonly grown in your region of the state.
Considering the size is also necessary – some mango trees can grow to be 100 feet tall! Many homeowners choose dwarf or semi-dwarf varieties for compact spaces. Only select a large variety if you have the space to support it!
Trees for Small Spaces
If you have a small yard or would like a container-grown mango tree on a patio or in an entryway, consider one of the following disease-resistant and compact varieties: Ice Cream, Fairchild, Carrie, and Cogshell.
Large Trees
Popular varieties of large trees that grow quickly are Palmer, Kent, and Haden. These trees produce fruits that range from 16 to 30 ounces.
Trees that Tolerate the Cold
No mango tree will truly be cold-tolerant, but some are more tolerant than others. We recommend homeowners in North Florida choose a variety like Glenn, which grows up to 10 feet tall and can produce up to 18-ounce fruits!
Site Selection
How to choose the best planting site? It should meet these requirements:
- Receives full sun
- Does not flood after heavy rains
- Far enough from the home, other trees, and powerlines for the tree to have its own space
Planting Procedure
Follow these steps to prepare your site and plant properly:
- Dig a hole 3-4 times as wide and 3 times as deep as the container, so that the soil surrounding the plant is loose and accessible to growing roots.
- Optional: add compost or topsoil to the hole. Mix with an equal amount of excavated soil.
- Place the tree in the hole such that the top of the container is even or slightly higher than the surrounding soil. You will probably need to backfill a little bit.
- Fill in the hole, slightly packing the soil to remove air pockets.
Water right away, then every other day for the first week and twice a week for the first two months.