When to Plant Medlar 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 Medlar 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 to part shade
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.0
Medlar is an old world deciduous tree for cool temperate gardens with frost (Daleys).
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
You might be able to grow it here under the right conditions. No source we opened describes medlar inland. It is frost tolerant but wants deep fertile soil that does not dry out (RHS), so irrigate and shelter it from wind, since the wood is brittle. Plant bare root in winter; harvest follows the national listing.
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, Medlar included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.
How to Grow Medlar in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia
- Soil
- Most soils if well drained (Daleys); deep, fertile, not chalky or waterlogged (RHS).
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- pH Range
- 6.0-7.0
- Sunlight
- Full sun (Daleys); full sun or part shade in a warm sheltered spot (RHS).
- Keep away from
- Windy sites, Waterlogged ground
Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Medlar
Recommended Varieties
- Nottingham (Daleys, Heritage Fruit Trees)
- Dutch (Daleys, Heritage Fruit Trees)
Key Challenges
- Bletting correctly
- Brittle wood in wind
- Few years to first crop
Pro Tips
- Pick after the leaves turn
- Blet on trays, stalks up
- Check the tray daily
Pests and problems for Medlar in Arid / Semi-Arid
Harvesting Medlar
When ready: Pick after frost when the stalk detaches easily and the leaves have turned (RHS, Daleys forum).
How to harvest: Twist off by hand with the stalk on; blet 2 to 3 weeks until soft, dark brown and wrinkled (RHS).
Storing and preserving medlar
How to keep it
- Jelly. Bletted fruit, strained, water bath (RHS use). Keeps: 12 months.
- Bletting tray. Cool, dark, airy, not touching (RHS). Keeps: 2 to 3 weeks.
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 Medlar
When do you plant medlar 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): Jul to Aug
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Jun to Aug
- Mediterranean (Perth): Jun to Aug
When should I plant Medlar in Alice Springs?
You might be able to grow it here under the right conditions. No source we opened describes medlar inland. It is frost tolerant but wants deep fertile soil that does not dry out (RHS), so irrigate and shelter it from wind, since the wood is brittle. Plant bare root in winter; harvest follows the national listing.
How do I know when Medlar are ready to harvest?
Pick after frost when the stalk detaches easily and the leaves have turned (RHS, Daleys forum).
What are the best Medlar varieties for Alice Springs?
Recommended varieties for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone include: Nottingham (Daleys, Heritage Fruit Trees), Dutch (Daleys, Heritage Fruit Trees).
Are medlar salt tolerant?
No. Medlar 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.