2000 miles north of its native range of Southern Mexico, I have finally put the first of my home-grown avocado trees in the grown.

As I have documented starting last November, I began by sprouting avocado pits from "Duke" avocados grown at Chaffin Family Orchards in Oroville. A couple weeks ago I planted the biggest of my one-year-old trees, which is now about 3 feet high.

I placed it about 20 feet off the north side of my house and 10 feet to the east of a 6 foot high fence. A large redbud is about 15 feet away. Though this is a relatively shaded, shadowy location (especially in the winter), my biggest concerns for my sapling are 25 degree winter frosts and 100 degree summer heat. I am hoping that this location will shelter the tree from both while it is still young.

While in milder climates a sunnier location would be better, I am thinking that by the time the tree is old enough to produce fruit--I am told about 6 years--the tree will be higher than the fence (and perhaps the house) and will catch enough sun to allow me to bust out the guacamole recipes.

Just in case the tree doesn't take, I have another sapling that I am keeping container-bound until spring.