When to Plant Avocado in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide

Plant year round in Alice Springs. That includes right now, in September.

Planting window
Plant in spring when frost risk passes. Irrigation essential year-round.
Sunlight
Full sun. Protect young trees from harsh afternoon sun with shade cloth for first 2 years.
Soil pH
5.5-6.5
Shop price
$7.49/kg average

Published · Last reviewed · By GardenBuddy.au
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Avocado guide is written for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, which takes in Alice Springs, Broken Hill and Port Augusta. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Avocado

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Evergreen subtropical tree that has become Australia's most fashionable fruit. Three races: Mexican (cold-hardy, small fruit), Guatemalan (medium hardiness), and West Indian (tropical only). Most commercial varieties are Guatemalan or Guatemalan-Mexican hybrids. Hass dominates but is not the only option. Trees can become VERY large (15m+) if not managed. Grafted trees fruit in 3-5 years; seedlings are a genetic lottery and take 7-15 years.

Best Planting Window for Arid / Semi-Arid

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
P P P P P P P P P P P P

P = Planting window

Plant in spring when frost risk passes. Irrigation essential year-round.

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How to Grow Avocado in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia

When to Plant

Plant in spring when frost risk passes. Irrigation essential year-round.

Soil
Extremely well-drained, slightly acidite to neutral. Avocados CANNOT tolerate waterlogged roots. Phytophthora root rot is the #1 killer. Sandy loam ideal. Heavy clay is death. If you have clay, build a raised mound 50-60cm high.
pH Range
5.5-6.5
Sunlight
Full sun. Protect young trees from harsh afternoon sun with shade cloth for first 2 years.

Companion plants: Comfrey, Sweet potato ground cover, Nasturtium

Avoid planting near: Anything that needs regular digging around root zone. Avocado roots are shallow and easily damaged

Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Avocado

Recommended Varieties

  • Hass (A-type)
  • Shepard (B-type)
  • Reed (A-type)

Key Challenges

  • Water requirements are very high for an arid zone
  • Extreme summer heat can scorch leaves and fruit
  • Alkaline soils cause iron chlorosis

Pro Tips

  • Only viable with reliable irrigation. A mature avocado tree uses 40-60 litres per day in summer.
  • Add sulphur and iron chelate to alkaline soils.
  • 50% shade cloth essential during extreme heat events.

Harvesting Avocado

When ready: Avocados do NOT ripen on the tree. Harvest when fruit reaches full size and skin begins to lose glossy sheen (Hass turns slightly purple-black). Pick one and leave at room temperature. If it ripens evenly in 7-10 days without rubbery texture, the crop is ready.

How to harvest: Cut stem with secateurs leaving 1cm stub. Never pull fruit. Handle gently. Bruises show as brown flesh.

Where to next

What avocado costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the arid and semi-arid zone this September: Ginger, Lemongrass, Beetroot and Chilli Peppers.

The pest most likely to find your avocado: Rats and Mice.

Supermarket Price

Current average retail: $7.49/kg (12-month range: $3.49–$7.49)

Grow your own and save on grocery bills.

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Common Questions About Avocado

When do you plant avocado in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does avocado grow all year round in Alice Springs?

Yes, every month is on the calendar for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, though not every month is equally easy. Plant in spring when frost risk passes. Irrigation essential year-round.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, Alice Springs is its reference city.