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

Plant September to November. Right now in September you can plant.

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

This Mandarin 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.

Mandarin

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Easy-peel citrus that's extremely popular in Australian home gardens. Huge variety range from early to late season, covering harvest from April to November. Imperial is the classic Australian variety. Trees are generally smaller and more compact than oranges or grapefruit, making them excellent for suburban gardens. Grafted trees fruit in 2-3 years. Most varieties produce heavy crops of sweet, easy-to-peel fruit that kids love.

Best Planting Window for Arid / Semi-Arid

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

P = Planting window

Plant spring with irrigation.

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How to Grow Mandarin in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia

When to Plant

Plant spring with irrigation.

Soil
Well-drained, slightly acidic. Reasonable tolerance of various soils.
pH Range
6.0-7.0
Sunlight
Full sun. 6+ hours direct.

Companion plants: Nasturtium, Comfrey, Marigold

Avoid planting near: Grass to trunk

Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Mandarin

Recommended Varieties

  • Imperial
  • Murcott
  • Emperor
  • Afourer

Key Challenges

  • Water dependent
  • Heat stress

Pro Tips

  • Commercial mandarin country with irrigation (Mildura, Riverland, Sunraysia).
  • Dry heat produces very sweet fruit.

Harvesting Mandarin

When ready: Full colour development (orange). Easy peel test, skin separates easily. Taste test is definitive. Sweeter the longer left on tree (within reason).

How to harvest: Cut with secateurs leaving short stub, or twist-pull gently.

Where to next

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

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

The pest most likely to find your mandarin: Possums (Common Brushtail, Ringtail).

Supermarket Price

Current average retail: $4.13/kg (12-month range: $2.90–$10.53)

Grow your own and save on grocery bills.

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Common Questions About Mandarin

When do you plant mandarin in Australia?

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

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.