Like the original Haden Mango Tree, the Kent Mango was first discovered in Coconut Grove, Florida. Kent Mango Trees reach up to 40 feet in height and have a dense, rounded canopy of deep green leaves. Kents are highly productive, producing an abundance of fruit from July to August. Kent Mango Trees are known for their resistance to diseases and pests, and they are a popular choice for commercial cultivation. Kent Mango Trees are also favorites among home gardeners due to their ease of growth and high-quality fruits.
Kent fruits are medium to large mangoes, averaging around 1 to 2 pounds each. Fruits are oval and smooth, and their green skins turn yellow with small orange to red spots when fully ripe. The flesh of the Kent mango is juicy, sweet, and fiberless, with a rich, creamy texture. The flavor is often described as a mix of honey and peach with notes of vanilla. Kent Mangoes also have a relatively small seed, so you get even more delicious pulp in every fruit you pick.
Kent Mango Trees can be grown in the ground within USDA Zones 9 to 11, and in pots in Zones 4 to 11. The trees are cold hardy to 28ºF when mature, and their dark green leaves with red new growth make pretty shade trees while adding gourmet tropical fruit to your edible garden.
Kent Mango Tree Care
If you live in USDA Growing Zones 9 to 11, the ideal way to grow a Kent Mango Tree is by planting it in the ground in early spring. Choose a spot that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day, and ensure that the soil has excellent drainage. If your area is prone to flooding during heavy rains, plant the tree on a raised mound.
Water the newly planted tree every two or three days for the first two weeks, then reduce watering to once per week over the first summer. Once the tree is established, water it whenever the top two inches of soil under the tree has dried out. You can also water Kent Mango Trees using a drip irrigation system but avoid keeping the soil soggy continuously.
While Kent Mango Trees are self-fertile, you can increase yields by planting two or more Kents or other spring-blooming Mango varieties (such as Valencia Pride) within 30 to 40 yards of each other. After two months of growth in the ground, begin fertilizing the tree with mango or citrus-specific fertilizer every three months. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer packaging for the recommended amounts, and always water the fertilizer in well after applying. Additionally, you can always add organic compost or mulch to the soil under the tree to provide a slow release of nutrients.
Growing Zone
Kent Mango Harvesting and Uses
Kent Mangoes have beautiful yellow-orange flesh that is firm, sweet, and virtually free of any fiber. The Mangoes ripen in July or August when they develop a yellow blush and red spots over their yellow-green skins. The best way to know if they are ready is to pick one of the largest fruits, allow it to rest for two days, then do a taste test. If the flesh is dry or at all sour wait for one week and then try another fruit. Once the first Kent Mangoes ripen you can harvest as many as you need every day.
Mature Kent Mango Trees can produce hundreds of fruits each season, although it is normal for exceptionally heavy crops to be followed by a season of somewhat lesser yield. Having a large crop of mangoes over the summer means you will be able to try many mango desserts, dishes, and salads. You can also share mangoes with friends and neighbors, and freeze the peeled and seeded fruits for use in future desserts and smoothies.
Advice
Like all mango trees, Kent Mango Trees can be affected by certain types of fungus. However, there are some simple steps you can take to keep your trees fungus free and healthy. It is a good practice to treat the mango tree in early spring before it blooms by spraying with a fruit tree fungicide. Additionally, planting the tree in an area with good airflow and direct sunlight can minimize the chance of fungus growth. In January, prune Kent mango Trees and trim low-hanging limbs to open the canopy and encourage more airflow. Also, always remove any fallen fruit and trimmed branches from the area under the tree.
For those in colder regions, it is possible to grow Kent Mango Trees in pots. Start by selecting a container that is larger than the tree’s root ball and has holes for drainage. Add potting soil with 10% perlite to the new pot and place the Mango Tree in it, making sure the rootball surface is about two inches below the pot rim. Fill the pot with soil up to the tree’s soil surface level, which will provide a two-inch space at the top for watering. Grow the potted tree in the sunniest possible south-facing window or on a sunny deck. If freezing weather is common or expected, bring the potted Mango Tree indoors for the winter.
FAQs
When are Kent Mangoes harvested?
Kent Mangoes ripen from July through August, making them a favorite summer fruit.
How big does a Kent Mango Tree grow to be?
Kent Mango Trees grow to 40 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide. They make great shade trees.
Are Kent Mango Trees cold-hardy?
Mature Kent Mango Trees can tolerate low temperatures to 28ºF with leaf damage. Prune cold-damaged mango trees in spring to help them recover.
When do Kent Mango Trees bloom?
Kent Mango Trees bloom in spring and a grafted tree can be expected to hold multiple fruits in as little as 2 years in the ground.
