Calling all kids and the kid in all of us, here is a project that is both fun and easy to do. This is an inexpensive way to grow a new tree or house plant. It is truly easy to turn a seed into a tree.

The materials that are needed to begin are an avocado, a small wide-mouthed jar and four toothpicks. After the seed produces roots and leaves you will also need a large pot (at least one gallon) and fresh potting soil mix.

Inside every avocado is a large seed (also called the pit) ready to grow a tree. After enjoying the avocado, maybe in guacamole, save the pit. Make sure that when the avocado is cut open that it is done carefully so that the pit isn’t harmed. Avocados pull apart easily when cut in half and the pit is very slippery so its not to hard to pop it out.

The majority of the pit (seed) is stored food for the embryonic plant to use to grow. When observing the pit it is easy to see that it is pointed at one end and flat at the other. The flat end is actually the bottom. Insert the four toothpicks into the side of the seed. Space the toothpicks evenly around the seed about one inch from the bottom. Push each toothpick in until it is firmly attached, this won’t hurt the seed.

Next, balance the seed with the toothpicks across the top of the jar. Fill the jar with enough water so that the bottom of the seed rests in the water. Keep the container full of water and in bright light. In a few weeks, roots should grow down into the water while a green shoot grows out the top. The seed can grow in water for many weeks, filling the container with roots.

Your tree can be planted outdoors in a sunny location that is protected from cold temperatures. The trees will normally not bear avocados until they have been in the ground for five to seven years and that is only if they have never experienced a freeze. An interesting characteristic about avocados is that they don’t ripen until after they fall off the tree. After the fruit falls off of the tree it will take about three to five days for it to ripen.

Another suggestion if you are planting the tree outside, give it plenty of room to grow. These trees can attain a height of 30 to 40 feet and a spread of 25 to 35 feet, so be sure to plant it far enough away from houses, driveways and power lines.