When to Plant Cherry 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.
Jump to section
This Cherry 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.
- Planting window
- Jun to Aug
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- neutral (SGA)
Cherry is a deciduous tree that wants cold winters and a cooler, less humid climate. Most sweet cherries need 700 to 1400 chill hours, but a few low chill types fruit from November in warm areas.
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
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun P
- Jul P
- Aug P
- Sep -
- Oct -
- Nov -
- Dec -
P = Planting window
No arid zone source for cherries. They prefer cooler, less humid climates (SGA), so hot dry areas are a poor fit. Harvest month is our estimate.
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
One email a week with what is worth planting in the Arid / Semi-Arid zone right now, Cherry included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.
How to Grow Cherry in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia
- Soil
- Deep, well draining soil rich in organic matter, neutral pH (SGA).
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- pH Range
- neutral (SGA)
- Sunlight
- Full sun (SGA).
- Good companions
- Chives, Dill, Borage, Thyme, Calendula
- Keep away from
- Fennel, Mint, Sunflower, Sweet Corn
Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Cherry
Recommended Varieties
- Minnie Royal, Royal Lee, Royal Crimson, Pretty Gully (low chill, Daleys)
- Lapins, Stella, Sunburst, Starkrimson (self fertile)
- Black Boy, Trixzie White Cherree (cool climates)
Key Challenges
- Hot dry summers
- Low humidity benefit only
Pro Tips
- Mulch heavily
- Water regularly
Pests and problems for Cherry in Arid / Semi-Arid
Harvesting Cherry
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 Cherry
When do you plant cherry 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): Jun to Aug
- Mediterranean (Perth): Jun to Aug
When should I plant Cherry in Alice Springs?
No arid zone source for cherries. They prefer cooler, less humid climates (SGA), so hot dry areas are a poor fit. Harvest month is our estimate.
What are the best Cherry varieties for Alice Springs?
Recommended varieties for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone include: Minnie Royal, Royal Lee, Royal Crimson, Pretty Gully (low chill, Daleys), Lapins, Stella, Sunburst, Starkrimson (self fertile), Black Boy, Trixzie White Cherree (cool climates).
What grows well with Cherry?
Good companion plants for Cherry include: Chives, Dill, Borage, Thyme, Calendula.
Are cherry salt tolerant?
No. Cherry 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.