When to Plant Blackberry in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide
What this month normally looks like in Arid / Semi-Arid
In October the Arid / Semi-Arid zone normally runs 32°C by day and 16°C overnight, with about 19 mm of rain over 2 or 3 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was 1.9°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 10 postcodes, SILO.
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This Blackberry 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.
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- about 6 (GrowVeg)
Wild blackberry (Rubus fruticosus agg.) is a Weed of National Significance and is declared in every state and territory. Grow only named thornless garden cultivars such as Chester or Thornfree.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Best Planting Window for Arid / Semi-Arid
Blackberry is not recommended for Arid / Semi-Arid.
No arid zone source. Fruit Tree Lane does not ship to WA or NT, and warm winters suit it poorly. Blackberry is also a declared weed (see gaps).
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How to Grow Blackberry in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia
- Soil
- Fertile soil enriched with compost, pH about 6 (GrowVeg).
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- pH Range
- about 6 (GrowVeg)
- Sunlight
- Full sun in cool areas. Shelter from hot afternoon sun in warm temperate areas (Fruit Tree Lane).
- Keep away from
- Bushland edges, Warm winter sites
Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Blackberry
Recommended Varieties
- Chester (later fruiting)
- Thornfree
- Waldo, Adrienne
Key Challenges
- Dry heat
- Quarantine limits on plant sales
Pro Tips
- Not recommended
Pests and problems for Blackberry in Arid / Semi-Arid
Harvesting Blackberry
How to harvest: Pick over a long season as the fruit ripens (GrowVeg).
What blackberry costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.
What members get
- Soil and weather from your nearest station
- An email when it's time to sow
- Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
- Price history and price alerts
- Pest risk alerts for your area
- Full salt and canning detail
Common Questions About Blackberry
When do you plant blackberry in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): not recommended
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Jun to Aug
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Jun to Aug
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Jun to Aug
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Jun to Aug
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): not recommended
- Mediterranean (Perth): Jun to Aug
When should I plant Blackberry in Alice Springs?
No arid zone source. Fruit Tree Lane does not ship to WA or NT, and warm winters suit it poorly. Blackberry is also a declared weed (see gaps).
What are the best Blackberry varieties for Alice Springs?
Recommended varieties for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone include: Chester (later fruiting), Thornfree, Waldo, Adrienne.
Are blackberry salt tolerant?
No. Blackberry are salt-sensitive, one of the more sensitive veggies. Use rainwater if your bore water is salty, or grow them in a raised bed of fresh mix if your soil is.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it 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.